Celtics Cap Space after 2027-2028 Season
Celtics have the following on their books ahead of 2028 Free Agency base on current roster:
$85M guaranteed/team option to Tatum, Hugo, and Pritchard
$35M player option to Derrick White (will be 34 ahead of 2028-2029 season)
$16M cap hold to Hauser
$12M cap hold to Scheierman
For a total of $85-$148M depending on what White chooses (this may be his last multi-year contract opportunity so he might opt out). They have 3 draft picks before ‘28 FA so those might be on the books if Celtics don’t trade those picks or decline their player options (or possibly stash an international player).
Salary cap is projected to be $183M so they can theoretically have $35M-$98M of cap space before any player exceptions.
**Notable UFA (many after a player option)**
Jokic, Giannis, AD, KAT, Mitchell, Siakam, Zion
**Notable player options for 2028-2029**
Luka, Bam, Anounoby, Brunson, NAW
Also RFA such as Stephon Castle and McCain.
They also now have 4 picks to trade during 2028 offseason along with 3 own swaps and 2 Philly swaps.
Aside from Celtics ducking tax and trying to sell high, this might be why they would be picky on which players were coming back in a trade. They might have limited themselves to players with 2 years or less, or on great rookie contracts. That could help explain the dog shit value of the trade.