Change Imminent for Celtics as Insider Confirms Worrying Update on Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday & Co

Change is the only constant. In the NBA, changes come in the form of a roster shake-up. Look what the Mavericks did with Luka Doncic. But when the ownership changes, some major shifts seem inevitable. Take the Boston Celtics, for example. Wyc Grousbeck is stepping down, handing the responsibilities to Bill Chisholm. However, with this change comes the verdict on the future of players.

Recently, ESPN’s Shams Charania spoke to Pat McAfee about the ongoing activities within the Celtics squad and front office. “Right now, Boston is fully focused on winning a championship. Like, that is the number one focus, repeating,” the senior NBA insider informed. Making their way to the Eastern Conference semi-finals after defeating the Orlando Magic 4-1, the Cs are looking ahead to reining the league.

Charania further noted, “But, I can tell you, the rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to come to the Celtics, from their roster this offseason? And, you know, sources have been telling me for weeks now that the Celtics will be exploring trade options in the off-season.” This version of the team lacks long-term viability, and there’s a shared understanding across the organization that roster changes may be imminent. The silence in the locker room speaks volumes—everyone already knows this lineup won’t last.

“The rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to come to the Celtics from their roster this offseason.”

– @ShamsCharania

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )

pic.twitter.com/Ao2gqG4tLe

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 1, 2025

“When you think about the new collective bargaining agreement, there are restrictions that come with trades,” Shams Charania added. “There are restrictions that come with freezing draft picks. That’s all the stuff that they’re dealing with right now. They have five players right now scheduled to make $28M or more next season. That’s a league record.” Derrick White is one of the stars to pocket $28.1 million in 2025–26, cementing his place among Boston’s elite earners. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to anchor the core on hefty deals. As a result, the Boston Celtics face a staggering $513 million in payroll and penalties.

“So they would have a salary bill of $500M. That’s a would-be league history amount. And I think the Celtics knew when they traded for Jrue Holiday and they traded for Kristaps Porzingis, they’d be staring at this in the face this summer,” Charania concluded. To dodge the dreaded second apron this summer, the Celtics have one bold move: trade Jrue Holiday. His three-year, $104.4 million deal, capped by a $37.4 million player option, looms large. But offloading him wouldn’t just lighten the financial load. Instead, it could even sneak Boston beneath the first apron, shifting their entire offseason strategy.

And while roster shake-up takes the front row in the conversation, something more consolidating is happening behind the scenes for the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics will confirm and finalize the organization’s handover to Chisholm in a week after odd rumors

Rumors once swirled that Bill Chisholm’s Celtics takeover might collapse. Concerns rose over his limited financial input, especially with Sixth Street Partners allegedly fronting more cash. But that’s no longer the case. Now, Chisholm’s group is oversubscribed and ready to claim over 51% in the deal’s first tranche.

Meanwhile, minority owner Steve Pagliuca had positioned himself as a backup, boasting a debt-free, record-setting offer. Yet Chisholm has stepped up, injecting enough of his own capital to meet NBA private equity rules. The sale is now on track to close within a week. Meanwhile, Chisholm’s courtside presence has already become a regular sight.

Well, the winds of change are blowing hard in Boston. From the front office to the hardwood, nothing is off the table. With Chisholm’s takeover nearly sealed and the roster under scrutiny, a defining summer awaits. One bold move could rewrite the Celtics’ future, on and off the court.

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