The Celtics are really going to disband? The championship lineup may disintegrate this summer!

Celtics are really going to part with each other?

When Tatum faced the bad news of a rippled Achilles tendon on the hospital bed, what the team knew best was not "how long will he be absent", but: "Can we still hold on to this lineup?" The $500 million account book, a Waterloo-like playoff elimination, and a super top salary contract that just started to take effect, pushed this King's Team, who had just won the championship, to the brink of falling apart.

"Evening power" is the script that the league wants to see most

Don't forget that this alliance has never favored "dynasty", what it needs more is "suspense" and "competition". So no matter how strong you are, the road to defending the title is destined not to be easy. There have been many obstacles in the rules, and the new labor-capital agreement, the new luxury tax system, and especially the restrictions on the "tax apron" have made any team trying to maintain a luxurious lineup pay an unimaginable price.

Boston, this summer is destined to be difficult

Looking back on the past two years, the Celtics have actually made all the "right decisions": retain the core lineup and strive for the championship with all their might. But the high salary cost is like a time bomb. In the 2025-26 season, the salary of only five main players was as high as US$188 million, while the second luxury tax line set by the league was only 207.8 million. Once it hits the top and adds to the punitive luxury tax, the entire bill may exceed US$500 million, setting a new record in the league.

Now, Tatum's serious injury and first round of the playoffs have made this "must settle" account even more difficult to settle. The

lineup may have to be used, whoever leaves will stay?

This summer, the Celtics will inevitably make changes. The key is - how big it will become? How far has it changed?

In the backcourt double shots, Holiday has a high contract and is old, and the transaction is not difficult, but he is most likely to be the first person to be dealt with. White is very attractive because of his extremely cost-effective contract, but if he wants to touch him, the Celtics can only get big bargaining chips that cannot be refused.

Porzingis' stay and stay is also confusing. He is frequently injured and missed a key game in the playoffs, which caused a great headache for the management. Although the contract is only one year left, it is attractive in theory, but in practice, it may have to "package and give gifts" to trade him.

As for Jaylen Brown, this is the most difficult move for management to make decisions. He just started to execute a five-year, super maximum salary contract of US$285.4 million, and his condition is at its peak. Is he going to continue to partner with Tatum to win the championship? Or should he decisively exchange future assets when his value is the highest? Young teams with potential such as the Rockets are eyeing each other. Once a sincere offer is made, the Celtics really have to consider it seriously.

Change your thinking: Will the 2025-26 season be a "transition year"?

If Tatum cannot recover to 100% next season, then Boston may have to accept a reality: next season is not a year of championships, but an year of adjustment. They can take this opportunity to clear their salary, reshape the rotation structure, and accumulate strength for another start.

is not "showing down", but strategic contraction. This is a calm decision that mature teams can only make in adversity.

Another intersection, how should Stevens choose?

If it were in the past, there was still plenty of room for choice for Boston's top management. But now, every transaction and every decision may affect the team's trend in the next three to five years. Should we continue to suppress all the bets on Tatum's return to the king? Or should we stop the loss decisively and lay the foundation for the next dynasty? The answer

will be revealed soon.