Sudden! Meniscus tear + Achilles tendon rupture!

Before the 2024-25 regular season starts, almost all forums/media have made a new season's combat power ranking, and the Boston Celtics almost ranked first on the list of major platforms. Unfortunately, this team favored by countless fans not only failed to defend their title, but even ended in the second round with a large score. Compared to the failure to defend the title, what is more painful is the injury problem.

Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and his future was uncertain; Jaylen Brown was exposed to a meniscus tear and the operation was imminent; Porzingis announced that his physical condition could no longer support him to continue his fight. Judging from the current injury situation, the Celtics have officially withdrawn from the No. 1 Group for the Championship. Compared to withdrawing from the Champions League, the more serious problem is the salary situation of the Celtics.

The following are the salary status of core players in the Celtics:

Tatum 314 million in 5 years, expires in 2029-30 season;

Jaylen Brown 285 million in 5 years, expires in 2027-28 season;

Holiday 134 million in 4 years, expires in 2027-28 season;

Derek White 118 million in 4 years, expires in 2027-28 season;

Porzingis 60 million in 2 years, expires in 2025-26 season.

According to the current situation, if the Celtics maintain their current lineup and enter the next season, their total salary will far exceed the second-rich line, which will trigger a huge luxury tax of nearly 270 million yuan. In addition, according to new NBA regulations, once the Celtics are over the line, the Celtics will be restricted in their free market signing or player transactions next season.

Previously, in order to stabilize the morale of the army, Lu Kai issued multiple contracts almost without blinking. Now the hope of winning the championship is becoming increasingly slim, and he can only end through disintegration. According to sources, Porzingis is the team's first traded object, which is easy to understand. The platinum contract has the shortest time and can be untied in just one season.

Platinum is followed by Holiday. Although Brother Zhu has hidden dangers of injury and is old and has a long contract life, the good news is that many championship teams have proposed to Green Kai's willingness to trade Holiday. In addition, Tatum and Jaylen Brown are not non-selling products. The Celtics rose vigorously, and unfortunately it was only one season that it disintegrated. Maybe the Celtics' game will be opened next season, and everything will change.