The Boston Celtics may be marching toward another NBA championship, but a financial storm could be brewing behind the scenes.
Following Shams Charania’s report that the reigning champions will explore trade options this offseason, NBA analyst Brian Windhorst dropped a bombshell suggestion: Jaylen Brown might be on the trading block.
Despite being the current Finals MVP and a central figure in Boston’s success, his massive contract and the team’s long-term cap concerns could make him a surprising yet strategic trade candidate.
‘It’s not feasible‘ – The financial reality facing Boston’s new owners
Windhorst argues that the Celtics’ financial situation makes a significant roster shakeup virtually inevitable, regardless of this season’s outcome.
“Right now, if they kept this roster intact, would be facing with taxes, a 450-ish million dollar payroll,” Windhorst explained.
“Their revenue is somewhere around $450 million a year. It’s not feasible. We have new ownership that is coming in that is paying six plus billion dollars for the team right now.”
The analyst believes these financial constraints will force difficult decisions, even for the defending champions.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesTwo supermaxes and a giant payroll spells trouble
Brown’s $53 million salary next season coincides with Jayson Tatum’s supermax extension kicking in at approximately $54 million.
Supporting two supermax contracts while maintaining a championship-caliber supporting cast presents an unprecedented financial challenge.
“You have to deal with that money losing situation. So while nobody has come out and said they’re going to trade this guy, they’re going to trade that guy,” Windhorst continued.
“They got a payroll. Everybody knows the finances and sees the books and understands that this is coming to an end one way or another.”
Is trading a Finals MVP really on the table?
Despite the extraordinary prospect of trading a Finals MVP in his prime, Windhorst suggests Brown’s massive contract makes him the most logical candidate if Boston needs financial flexibility.
“And so the way this playoffs play out will be in effect. And so because Jaylen Brown earns that big money, people are saying, ‘is that going to be the guy they move?’” Windhorst noted, while acknowledging alternatives exist.
“That may not necessarily be true. They may say, ‘we’re keeping Jason Tatum and Jaylen brown together, come hell or high water, and we’ll try to find somewhere else to fill in these guys.’“
“But the reason they’re looking at Jaylen Brown is that that’s the highest salary player who potentially could move and they could get themselves back to financial reasonability.”