Acquiring Jrue Holiday Set to Cost an Additional $16,166,777 for Jayson Tatum’s Celtics

The Boston Celtics have made significant changes in order to win the title this season. The roster has gone through an upheaval after the failures of past seasons in which the Celtics have disappointed. They traded away Marcus Smart for Latvian big man Kristaps Porziņģis and recently traded for NBA veteran Jrue Holiday. Jrue is a terrific fit for the Celtics, as he is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and is a better shot maker and taker than Smart.

But the acquisition of Jrue Holiday will affect the bank balance of Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck.

The Celtics over the Salary Cap

The NBA is a very competitive league and to compete for the top honors could prove to be costly. The Celtics have been the premier team of the NBA since its inception, which resulted in them winning seventeen NBA titles, most in NBA history. But since 2008 the Celtics have not won the NBA title in spite of having one of the best teams for the past six to seven years. They have come agonizingly close to the NBA title several times but weren’t able to cross the final hurdle.

With the pressure rising on the front office after another disappointing season. Brad Stevens has made significant changes in order to clinch the title this season. The Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday from the Blazers as they gave away reigning sixth man of the year Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III. This has taken the Celtics over the salary cap. The Celtics have the fifth highest payroll in the league and are over the salary cap by $16,166,777 dollars. Because the Celtics are over the salary cap, they would have to pay a luxury tax of almost $33 million dollars.

Can the Celtics finally get over the hump with Jrue Holiday?

With the addition of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, the Celtics are again considered title favorites this season. But unlike previous seasons, the Celtics would be going into the season with a different group of core players. They probably have the best starting five in the league, but they have lost a lot of depth in order to acquire Jrue and Kristaps.

For any team to succeed, they need to have a deep roster and at this point in time, the Celtics do not have depth. They are relying heavily on 37-year-old Al Horford and injury prone Kristaps Porziņģis.

Read More: “This One Hurt”: Hours After Celtics’ Shocking Jrue Holiday Acquisition, Jayson Tatum Bids Farewell to 25YO “Dawg 4L” Teammate

The acquisition of holiday will make an impact, but the front office needs to make further moves if they want to compete with the Bucks.

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