The Celtics have already been busy this offseason after making a pair of big trades and getting through the 2025 NBA Draft. But now, there’s the next step on the league calendar: Free agency. NBA teams are allowed to start negotiating with outside free agents starting at 6 p.m. Monday, opening the gates across the league.
The C’s are certainly not expected to make a big splash in free agency. The front office has focused on cutting costs through trades as the organization has been successful on that front thus far. But the roster remains fluid as the Celtics will look different come the start of training camp in a few months.
Here’s what to know from a Celtics perspective entering NBA free agency:
What have the Celtics done so far this offseason?
The front office was active ahead of last week’s 2025 NBA Draft, putting together two trades that significantly cut costs. They first moved Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. The C’s then sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks in a three-team trade that included the Nets, netting them Georges Niang and a second-round pick. The deals collectively put the C’s below the second apron of the salary cap, which is a significant step.
Elsewhere, the Celtics made three picks in the 2025 draft. They chose Hugo Gonzalez (28th), Amari Williams (46th) and Max Shulga (57th). It’s unclear if Gonzalez, the lone first-round pick, will suit up in Summer League. Otherwise, the pair of second-round selections in Williams and Shulga are likely to be signed to two-way contracts. Of note, the Celtics traded down from No. 32 overall for the 46th and 57th picks, along with two future second-round draft selections to restock the cupboard.
Who do the Celtics have entering free agency?
The two key names to watch are Luke Kornet and Al Horford. Both big men were huge contributors to last year’s team, and looking at this roster, there’s a clear hole when it comes to their center depth. Kornet had a breakout season last year playing on a veteran’s minimum and is set to get a big payday in free agency. Horford’s free agency plan is unclear as he recently turned 39. Considering the Celtics are unlikely to be title contenders with Jayson Tatum sidelined, it remains to be seen what Horford will do when it comes to the 2025-26 season.
But make no mistake: The C’s want both of their guys back in Boston next season. Celtics president Brad Stevens said as much when discussing the two big men. The Celtics have Bird Rights for both bigs, so they can offer them any contract they want. Of course, the C’s are also looking to cut costs, so there’s a balance there.
“There is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back,” Stevens said last week. “Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They’re going to have, I’m sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that’s well-deserved. But I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don’t want to put pressure on them. It’s their call ultimately. But, yeah, we would love to have those guys back.”
How will free agency potentially affect the Celtics?
The specifics remain to be seen heading into free agency. But the Celtics will likely stay active on the trade market. They have some contracts they could move in Simons, Georges Niang and even Sam Hauser. The Celtics are only a few million under the second apron, so any signings like Kornet and Horford could get expensive in a hurry.
But teams oftentimes strike out on their preferred candidates through free agency, which is when they turn to trades to fill the gap. While teams aren’t perhaps looking for a guard now, that could change if there is a hole on their roster in the near future. So that’s where the specifics are hard to forecast, but situations change across the league quickly.