Celtics Face Offseason Crossroads After Playoff Collapse
"We came up short... now the job is to do an honest assessment."
— Brad Stevens
The Boston Celtics enter a pivotal offseason after blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. With multiple trade exceptions, draft assets, and critical decisions looming on center Neemias Queta and star guard Jaylen Brown, team president Brad Stevens faces a roster evaluation that could reshape the franchise.
Disappointing End to a Strong Season
The Celtics won 56 games as the No. 2 seed in the 2024-25 regular season, following roster changes last summer. But their first-round collapse exposed glaring weaknesses.
In the decisive losses against the 76ers, the team averaged 46 three-point attempts per game but shot just 27.4% from deep. Coach Joe Mazzulla's three-point-heavy offensive strategy came under heavy scrutiny, particularly after the Game 7 defeat.
Stevens acknowledged those criticisms as "really fair" and emphasized the team needs "to have more of an impact at the rim."
The frontcourt was a clear liability against 76ers center Joel Embiid. The Celtics rotated through Neemias Queta, Nikola Vučević, and Luka Garza — none of whom could consistently contain the MVP-caliber big man.
Salary Cap Flexibility and Trade Exceptions
The Celtics have significant financial flexibility heading into the offseason:
- $12 million below the luxury tax threshold
- $21 million below the first apron
- $34 million below the second apron
The team holds five trade exceptions, including a $27.7 million exception from the Anfernee Simons deal (expires at next year's trade deadline). Additional exceptions include a $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and a $5.4 million bi-annual exception.
Boston also possesses six first-round draft picks over seven years, giving them ample trade ammunition.
Neemias Queta's Uncertain Future
Center Neemias Queta holds a $2.7 million team option for next season. The Celtics face a binary choice:
- Pick up the option and potentially extend his contract up to four years for $92 million
- Decline the option and sign a new contract, which would reduce salary flexibility but allow for different roster construction
Queta's development — and whether he can be part of a solution against elite centers — will factor heavily into this decision.
Jaylen Brown's Status and Controversy
Jaylen Brown remains at the center of offseason speculation, both for his playoff comments and his trade value.
Days after the season-ending loss, Brown participated in a livestream where he addressed earlier criticism of Joel Embiid and allegations that referees informed him of an "agenda" against him. The NBA fined Brown $50,000 for those remarks. He did not retract them during the stream.
"I had to say something. There's an inconsistency, and it's there."
— Jaylen Brown
Brown expressed regret that Brad Stevens had to address the topic in his season-ending press conference, but reaffirmed his commitment to Boston: "I love Boston, and if it was up to me I could play in Boston for the next 10 years."
Since 2018, Brown and Jayson Tatum have reached five conference finals, two NBA Finals, and won one championship. Brown is expected to be named to the All-NBA first team and finish in the top five in MVP voting this season.
However, trade rumors continue to swirl. Multiple teams are expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, and those that fail could pivot to Brown as a consolation prize, according to reports. Brown has been involved in trade talks historically for Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant. The Celtics had a brief, non-progressive conversation with the Atlanta Hawks about Brown last summer.
What a Brown-for-Antetokounmpo Trade Would Look Like
Analysis of a hypothetical swap involving Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo suggests the move would not fundamentally change Boston's offensive philosophy.
Antetokounmpo has assisted on more three-pointers than two-pointers in each of the past two seasons. The Milwaukee Bucks ranked among the top five in three-point attempts from 2018-19 through 2022-23 during his tenure (the drop occurred under coach Doc Rivers). His drives draw defensive help, creating open passing lanes for shooters.
However, a straight swap would create spacing challenges — particularly if Neemias Queta remains at center, as he does not shoot three-pointers. The Celtics would likely need a stretch center such as Brook Lopez to maximize Antetokounmpo's effectiveness.
The trade would also not address Boston's need for a third scorer and bench depth — two issues that proved costly in the playoff series against Philadelphia.
The Big Picture
Stevens summarized the team's position succinctly: "The part that's hard to reconcile is just when we were sitting here... if you would've told me last summer that we would've won 56 games... that the young guys would all become contributors... that we would get Tatum back, I would've been thrilled with those results. But the reality is that we came up short."
The Celtics now face a summer of difficult decisions — weighing loyalty to a championship core against the clear need for roster evolution.