For many people, change is not fun -- it's terrifying. The unknown causes uncertainty, discomfort, and angst. It could be anything: moving to a new city, getting a new job, or perhaps your favorite sports team is at an unavoidable crossroads, like the Boston Celtics are.
The NBA's dreaded second-apron has had a vice grip on expensive teams since it was introduced in the [2023 update to the CBA.](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-cba-101-everything-to-know-about-new-agreement-from-salary-cap-to-free-agency-and-beyond/) Franchises fall victim to serious penalties for overspending, making it extremely difficult to continue to build a competitive roster.
Avoiding those restrictions was always going to be the goal for the Celtics this summer, regardless of how the season ended. Considering that the ending was about as gut-wrenching as imaginable, losing Jayson Tatum to an Achilles tear and failing to broach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2021, there's no disputing that change is on the horizon.
"We have a lot of good guys in that locker room," explained Sam Hauser at his exit interview Saturday. "The thought of not having someone on the team next year, it's hard to wrap your head around it."
Though it's tough to wrap ones head around, it's reality.
**Inevitable Celtics offseason changes are still going to be brutal**
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For Boston to sink below the second apron, they're going to have to shed nearly $20 million in salary during the offseason. That number doesn't even account for the potential re-signings of Al Horford and Luke Kornet, who are both unrestricted free agents come July.
Neither player had much to say about returning, besides having to discuss the future with their family -- standard practice in these situations. However, the [universal love for Horford](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/al-horford-comments-nba-future-celtics-fans-feeling-uneasy-tatum) was felt throughout the afternoon on Saturday, as just about everyone who took the podium spoke to how great of a teammate he is.
Regardless if both, one, or neither of the big fellas is back, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens will likely look to move one of, if not both, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, who are set to make $30.7 million and $32.4 million respectively.
Mind you, that $20 million they need to shed is a net number. Whatever hypothetical trades the Celtics make will likely have incoming salaries, making it more difficult to get below that threshold in just one move.
βIt's been unbelievable, honestly," said Porzingis of his time in Boston, after Friday's season-ending loss. "Purely looking from my own perspective, it's been up and down β tough moments, even last year. But then the big objective that we're going for, we achieved it. And nothing sweeter than that, right?β
Porzingis was visibly emotional on Boston's bench in the closing moments of Game 6, perhaps his last game in green.
"The opportunity to win is now, and I still want to be a part of that," Holiday told the media Saturday.
Despite the pair of former All-Stars being with the Celtics for just two seasons, their impact will be felt forever. They contributed to the squad that finally captured the elusive Banner 18 in 2024, and left it all on the floor this season, even if it didn't end in the way they would've hoped.
This iteration of the Celtics was special. I mean, every championship team is, but the group's character resonated with the fanbase in a way that made them feel as if the core hadn't come together just under two years ago. It felt much longer than that.
That sentiment was reflected in the overall feeling thoughout Saturday's availability. It felt like high school graduation, but like if all of the students actually liked school and weren't thrilled to be free of the quizzes and homework.
Even if you're an NBA player, change kind of stinks. Especially when it's not in your hands. Stevens will have plenty of difficult decisions to make this summer, and all we, or the players can do, is sit back and watch.