The Celtics continue to get their work done early during the first two days of free agency. Sandwiched between announcements of a looming franchise sale, the Celtics have now filled in three of their open roster spots after the Xavier Tillman deal on Tuesday. Those moves come in addition to locking up Derrick White and Jayson Tatum to massive extensions that keep them under team control for the remainder of the decade. There’s a bit of a waiting game going on now in NBA free agency across the league as some big dominoes are waiting to fall on the trade front and the free agent market. While Boston will be sitting on the sidelines for most of those, there are still a couple of loose ends for Boston’s roster after the Xavier Tillman signing. Let’s take a closer look at what the Celtics have done so far and what lies ahead.
2024-25 projected roster
Jaylen Brown: $49.7 million
Jayson Tatum: $34.9 million
Jrue Holiday: $30 million
Kristaps Porzingis: $29.2 million
Derrick White: $19.6 million
Al Horford: $9.5 million
Payton Pritchard: $6.7 million
Jaden Springer: $4 million
Luke Kornet: $2-3 million
Xavier Tillman: $2-3 million
Baylor Scheierman: $2.5 million
Neemias Queta: $2.2 million
Sam Hauser: $2.1 million
Jordan Walsh: $1.9 million
Two-way spot
Anton Watson
Roster analysis: The Celtics currently have one open roster spots on the 15-man roster but there is a decent chance according to a league source that Boston keeps that spot open to lessen the luxury tax penalties to start the year. That may be a bit tougher to do this year from a health standpoint with Kristaps Porzingis limited for the first two months of the year but adequate depth on the big-man front should help. Additional competition for unguaranteed contracts could also be brought in during training camp.
Boston made their first three moves of free agency bringing back true bigs in Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Tillman. One more big could be a target for Boston with that final roster spot to battle with Queta, someone with the ability to play power forward or center.
Elsewhere, the Celtics have a pair of two-way spots to fill in addition to Watson, who is expected to sign a two-way deal per a source. Boston will be patient on that front I’m told as they evaluate potential prospects during NBA Summer League and see what other needs emerge across the roster. Extension talks are also looming with Sam Hauser next week for Boston.
REMAINING FREE AGENTS
Oshae Brissett: The veteran forward opted out of his player option with Boston last week and is in search of a bigger opportunity elsewhere according to sources. Whether he can find that opportunity in a crowded free agent market is an interesting question. The door is probably still open for him to return to Boston for a minimum deal but that would change if the final roster spot gets filled or Boston simply elects to carry 14 players.
Svi Mykhailiuk: It’s hard to see the Celtics having a spot for him to come back after making the Scheierman pick. He played well enough last year though to get a chance at a 15-man roster spot somewhere.
JD Davison: The point guard is still eligible for a two-way deal but the Celtics did not tender him a qualifying offer because that deal would have had to been for a spot on the 15-man roster. Boston has shown interest in bringing him back but only on a two-way deal. With limited upward trajectory possibilities within Boston’s current roster in the backcourt, it’s unclear whether Davison will be back or find more opportunity elsewhere.
Drew Peterson (restricted): The Celtics have a two-way qualifying offer out for him, giving Boston the ability to match any deal he gets.