Financial flexibility played a massive role in the deconstruction of the Boston Celtics’ roster this summer. Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, Al Horford, and Georges Niang all became cap casualties in Boston’s effort to dive below the league’s second-apron threshold.
Combine those money moves with Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles recovery, and you’ve got yourself a hypothetical “gap year.” Expectations were low heading into the season, with many fans quietly hoping for a tanking team, and some looking at ways for Boston to offload an extra $12 million in salary to get beneath the luxury tax line.