As NBA free agency approaches, the Celtics lack financial flexibility, being about $4 million below the luxury tax apron. With significant trades like that of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, they may shed enough salary to access the taxpayer's mid-level exception, allowing for a potential signing at $5.69 million. The primary focus remains on re-signing key players Al Horford and Luke Kornet, whom the organization values. Their retention is critical, especially after losing depth in the frontcourt with Porzingis's departure.
As you look at the rest of the team and what we're trying to do, there is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back. 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.
While some big money will be thrown around, don't expect the Celtics to be one of the teams to dish out major cash in free agency. As of Sunday, they're roughly $4 million shy of the second luxury tax apron.
Depending on how much salary they shed, the Celtics could have the taxpayer's mid-level exception available to them, which would allow them to sign a player for $5.69 million.
Following the departure of Kristaps Porzingis, keeping Horford and Kornet became even more imperative. Their only veteran bigs are Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman Sr.
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