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Stevens Explains Celtics’ Cost-Cutting Overhaul to Drop Below Second Apron

Stevens says getting under the second apron restores trade flexibility, easing a once‑projected $500 million bill.

Overview

  • Boston moved off Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet depart in free agency to reshape the cap sheet.
  • Team officials say the changes cut combined 2025–26 salaries by roughly $28 million and reduced total payroll plus tax exposure to about $239 million.
  • The club now sits below the second apron but remains roughly $4 million over the first apron and about $12 million into the tax entering 2025–26.
  • Regaining room below the second apron allows Boston to aggregate salaries in trades and can unfreeze its 2032 first‑round pick if the team stays under for three of four years.
  • Stevens outlined a shift toward a deeper, energy‑driven rotation with younger, high‑character additions and acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the decisions.