The Boston Celtics are aiming to get under the NBA's second tax apron. They can try various ways to do so, as they have plenty of expensive contracts on their payroll that trading away would do a lot of good for them to accomplish that goal.
The usual suspects have been Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, both of whom will be paid over $30 million next season. Boston is better with them than without them, but they are more expendable than some of their other players on nine-figure contracts, like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
Brown and White are also getting paid a hefty sum for what they bring to the court.
Boston Celtics guards Jaylen Brown (7) and Derrick White (9)
Boston Celtics guards Jaylen Brown (7) and Derrick White (9)
© David Butler II–USA TODAY Sports
The difference between them and the likes of Holiday and Porzingis is that because they are more vital to the Celtics' success, not only would trading them get them under the second tax apron, but they would also get the Celtics some valuable assets back.
For that same reason, Brown and White likely aren't going anywhere. ESPN's Shams Charania revealed on "The Pat McAfee Show" that teams are trying to ante up for White and Brown, but the Celtics' price is too high.
“I’m sure teams are throwing crazy offers out for guys like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White,” he said. “But it’ll take a pretty insurmountable package to get those guys out of Boston.”
This all signifies that, despite Jayson Tatum being out indefinitely, the Celtics still believe that he, Brown, and White are a good enough core to lead the team to more titles. The question will be who else Boston will put around them to make that happen.