The NBA has entered the final laps of the 2024-25 season. With the playoffs just around the corner, the teams have been notified of something important. All the teams must know the burden on their pockets before heading into the 2025 drafts. Simply put, the league notified the teams about the 2025-26 season salary cap. It looks like the officials want all the teams to have something for themselves. But as everybody gets cautious, there’s major good news for Jayson Tatum & Co. at the Boston Celtics.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweeted that the league officially informed them that the 2025-26 salary cap will rise by 10%, just as projected months ago, sources tell ESPN. The new salary cap is set at $154.6 million, with the luxury tax threshold at $187.9 million. Meanwhile, the first apron lands at $195.9 million, and the second apron reaches $207.8 million. Too many numbers? For context, the current cap sits at $140.6 million. The financial landscape is shifting, and front offices must adapt quickly.
The rising salary cap brings relief to teams navigating the apron rules, offering more flexibility to structure contracts. As the cap increases, so does the apron, easing some of the financial strain. Last off-season, teams felt the squeeze when the cap grew by just 3.4%, limiting their options. That modest jump locked in Jayson Tatum‘s salary at $54.1 million for next season, keeping Boston’s financial commitments heavy.
That keeps Tatum’s salary at $54.1M next year. #Celtics have $225.5M on the books for next season between 11 players. That’s $219.4M in tax, with much more to come after signing Horford and others.
By comparison, C’s will pay just over $50M in tax this year. https://t.co/LtXYPP9UCU
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) March 25, 2025
The Celtics are staring at a massive $225.5 million payroll for next season with just 11 players under contract. That translates to a staggering $219.4 million in luxury tax, a number set to climb even higher once Al Horford and others finalize their deals. For perspective, Boston’s tax bill this season is just over $50 million—a fraction of what’s coming. The financial stakes have never been higher.
But amidst the mounting costs, there’s a silver lining. The NBA’s latest move doesn’t just offer relief—it breathes new life into Boston’s roster decisions. With more cap space, the Celtics now have a real shot at keeping Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford without dismantling their championship-winning core. The front office still faces tough calls, but one thing is clear: the dream of running it back just got a serious boost.
The NBA’s latest salary cap details could breathe new life into Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics
Recently, a conversation emerged about what the C’s would do if they win the championship this time and what they would do if they don’t. Then, Tim Bontemps told on The Hoop Collective: “I will maintain the same thing that I’ve said the whole time: If the Celtics win the title this year, I find it very hard to believe this team will go on cost-saving measures, however, they want to frame them.” Because Bontemps believes the Celtics are committed to maintaining a championship-level roster, especially if they chase a historic three-peat. However, if they fall short, financial decisions could come into play. He suggests that even an impressive preseason won’t guarantee the current squad’s future.
But, with the NBA’s rising salary cap, it hands Boston a crucial lifeline, easing financial pressure and opening new roster possibilities. That gives the Celtics some much-needed breathing room. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are locked in, but Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford remain question marks.
A bigger cap means fewer sacrifices, reducing the urgency to move Holiday and his 104.4 million contract just to avoid financial penalties. Still, Boston is drowning in the second apron, with next season’s roster set to cost over $400 million. The real issue isn’t just the 219.4 million luxury tax—it’s the NBA’s strict new CBA, designed to curb reckless spending. Unlike the English Premier League, where money flows freely, the NBA now punishes teams beyond their wallets.
Feb 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
But the cap jump offers hope. If Boston navigates its finances wisely, it could keep its championship-winning core intact without offloading key pieces. With the right moves, they might even slide closer to the first apron, keeping their title window open while staying competitive under the league’s evolving financial rules.
The Celtics are walking a financial tightrope, but Jayson Tatum and his squad just caught a break. The rising cap doesn’t erase their challenges, but it eases the strain. Boston has a chance to keep its championship core intact without major sacrifices. With smart decisions, Jayson Tatum’s Celtics won’t just endure—they’ll continue to set the standard for dominance.
The post Jayson Tatum & Celtics Get Massive $50M Respite as NBA’s Latest Announcement Brings Hope for Kristaps Porzingis & 2 Others appeared first on EssentiallySports.
