NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 12: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a three point shot in ... More the first half against the New York Knicks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images). (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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After going down with an injury in game four of the eastern conference semifinals, it has been confirmed that Boston Celtics star wing is out for the rest of the playoffs, and for the foreseeable future with an achilles injury. Tatum underwent surgery the day after his injury occurred, a sign of how severe the injury was. With their star player being out for the next season, this will undoubtedly force the Boston Celtics to make some serious decisions regarding their team's future.
Boston will have the highest payroll in the league next season at $227 million, and with their best player being out, that is an even tougher pill to swallow. If there was ever a season to try and cut back on the payroll by letting go of some players, next season would be that. Some players Boston could look to move on from are guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis. Holiday is slated to make $32 million next season and Porzingis is slated to make $30 million. Boston could look to unload these large contracts by trading these two players, and getting their overall team bill down.
Without Tatum the chances of a title are pretty much non-existent for Boston, which goes without saying. Although they still have plenty of talent on the team with Tatum out, one can assume that Boston’s new ownership group will not be enthused with being so high in the luxury tax for a team that likely won’t win the title. As long as you withhold the core of Tatum and Jaylen Brown, you can always pivot back to contender status, but while Tatum is recovering it may be the time to cut back on costs for a little while.