The start of NBA free agency is a week away, but the Celtics and all 29 other teams across the NBA are allowed to begin some internal discussions on Monday following the conclusion of the NBA Finals. All teams are now allowed to negotiate with their own free agents in a one-week window before the full start of NBA free agency on June 30 at 6 p.m.

Much of the attention this offseason thus far has been on Celtics potential trades as the team looks to trim salary from its record-breaking payroll. However, Boston is looking a potentially big hole in its frontcourt pending the status of Porzingis in trade talks and what happens in free agency with bigs like Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Here’s a look at who is already under contract for next season for Boston and where things stand with each of the Celtics’ own free agents.

Advertisement

Celtics 2025-26 cap sheet

Jayson Tatum: $54.1 million

Jaylen Brown: $53.1 million

Jrue Holiday: $32.4 million

Kristaps Porzingis: $30.7 million

Derrick White: $28.1 million

Sam Hauser: $10 million

Payton Pritchard: $7.2 million

Baylor Scheierman: $2.6 million

Xavier Tillman: $2.5 million

Neemias Queta: $2.3 million

Jordan Walsh: $2.2 million (non-guaranteed)

First round draft pick: $2.5 million

JD Davison: $2.2 million (team option)

CELTICS FREE AGENTS

Al Horford

Previous salary: $9.5 million

Analysis: Boston’s plan for next season and beyond won’t be centered around Horford specifically but his intentions but could certainly influence what path Brad Stevens takes. For months, it was a formality that Horford would be back in Boston, likely to finish out his career once his contract expired this offseason. However, Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear and a second-round exit to the Knicks left Horford uncertain about his future next year. League sources expect Horford to play next season as he hits age 39 but whether that will come in Boston is another story.

Advertisement

Can the Celtics convince him that he still has a chance to win another title in his next deal in Boston despite Tatum’s injury? Is Horford holding out for market value in his next deal or will he take a discount to ease Boston’s tax burden? There should be a strong market for him at the taxpayer mid-level exception at the minimum if Horford is looking elsewhere besides Boston while potentially chasing another ring. If he’s staying put in Boston for anything beyond the minimum, the Celtics will need to trim salary accordingly.

Luke Kornet

Previous salary: Veteran’s minimum

Analysis: The veteran big man turned down bigger money elsewhere, per sources, to come back to Boston last year on a short-term deal. After putting together the best season of his career while in Boston, he’s likely to attract a solid market yet again in free agency. It remains to be seen what Kornet’s biggest priorities are entering free agency, but he’s certainly earned himself a long-term deal with his play of late.

Advertisement

The Celtics have full Bird Rights on him, so they can afford him any deal to re-sign. However, with the repeater tax penalties coming into play for next season, every dollar spent will cost the franchise much more without major salary dumps elsewhere. The guess here is the Celtics clear a path to retain Kornet but such a move may cost Boston some talent elsewhere.

Torrey Craig

Previous salary: Veteran’s minimum

Analysis: The midseason pickup on the free agent market never made much of an impact in Boston. He saw some spot minutes at the end of the regular season but was on the outside of Joe Mazzulla’s rotation for the entire playoffs even when injuries hit. His offseason market likely isn’t higher than the veteran’s minimum, but it’s difficult to see him being a priority to retain with the team having plenty of other balls in the air across the roster.

More Celtics content

Read the original article on MassLive.