Brad Stevens opened his end-of-season press conference by stating he did not want to get into conversations surrounding the second apron and how the Boston Celtics might navigate a summer of uncertainty.
The franchise's president of basketball operations knew that would fall on deaf ears.
As Stevens fielded inquiries into the impact of a more punitive collective bargaining agreement and Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear that may sideline him for the duration of the 2025-26 campaign, he reinforced what the team looks to as its north star while acknowledging the need for flexibility.
"When you're in this role, you talk big-picture branches and long-term all the time," said Stevens from the Auerbach Center podium. "But then at the end of each season, you glean a little more clarity from the season that just happened and what happened during it, right?
"So again, I like to give everybody a few days to take a deep breath, because you don't want to make decisions that are rash or emotional. And we've got a lot to sift through and sort out and think about, and we'll do that. So there'll be a lot of us in the room, and we'll take the time over the next couple of weeks to do that."
The Celtics must follow their north star while being honest about the predicament they're in
[Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens talks to reporters during media day at Auerbach Center.
David Butler II-Imagn Images](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/jayson-tatum-injury-news-forces-celtics-dilemma-no-obvious-fix-)
Championship contention is the Celtics' guiding light. However, remaining over the second apron, subjecting themselves to the repeater tax, trade restrictions, and seeing their first-round pick slide to the end of the round, without the ability to use it in a transaction, becomes untenable in a year that Tatum might spend rehabbing.
While the organization doesn't want to lower expectations, it must be realistic. A step back is likely required to strengthen its future.
"I never put a ceiling on a group of players," stated Stevens. "So, some years, you put a group together that you think has a better chance than others, but we'll see how it all looks. But my goal is always, and will always be, to try to best position us to compete for championships."
Danny Ainge's successor later conveyed, "The north star is to have a championship contender. So you have to put yourself -- you have to do what's best to give yourself the best opportunity to do that when you can do that.
"So we just have to look at it all and decide how feasible that is on any given year, and then make sure we're making the decisions accordingly."
That statement is among the most significant from Stevens' press conference. It's an admission that, perhaps, tips the Celtics' hand. They've reached a point where they must put more stock into their future beyond the 2025-26 campaign compared to prioritizing next season.
After returning 15 of 17 players from their title team, including those on two-way deals, significant change feesl imminent. Getting under the second apron likely means Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are playing elsewhere next season. That could apply to Sam Hauser as well.
"We have a lot of good players," said Stevens. "We're in a unique situation. They're all under contract. And obviously, there are several basketball penalties that will come with that amount of salary. So, we just have to weigh it all and make those decisions. Again, I'll have more clarity after we meet and talk and go through it."
There are also two crucial free agents at center. Players heaped deserved praise on Al Horford at exit interviews. That includes labeling him the best teammate they've ever had. They also said they'll respect whatever decision he makes this summer.
Then, there's Luke Kornet's free agency. After a career year, including a personal-best seven blocks in Boston's Game 5 win over the New York Knicks, one final haymaker from a proud champion, he may receive more lucrative offers elsewhere.
The roster turnover that could come the year after the Celtics achieved the rare feat of keeping a championship roster nearly entirely intact reflects how quickly life is changing in the NBA.
As they and the rest of the league navigate the Association being more talented than ever, parody rising, and a harsher collective bargaining agreement prematurely breaking teams up, Stevens told Hardwood Houdini the following when asked if championship windows are shorter than ever.
"That's a good question," he remarked before pausing. "I don't know. It's something that I think it's more challenging in certain circumstances for sure."
The Celtics have found themselves at a crossroads that applies to the latter part of Stevens' statement. How they maneuver this summer will play a massive role in keeping their window of contention open as long as possible.