There’s Only So Much Money
Danny Ainge and company currently claim the eighth-highest payroll in the league. Unfortunately for the Boston Celtics, it is only going to go up from here. If Kyrie Irving signs a max deal, it will start off at $32.7 million and only get more expensive as time goes on. Assuming Irving stays in Boston for the max and Al Horford picks up his player option, the Celtics will be heading into the 2019-20 season with just right under $130 million on the books- and that’s with just 10 names on the roster. They would still need to sign at least three more players to fill out the roster, pushing them well into the luxury tax. This is all without offering Terry Rozier money, as well.
There’s one of two ways Rozier could get paid by Boston. The Celtics could offer him a contract, likely something at least in the ball park of $10 million a year, and he signs. Boston would only be able to do this because they could sign him into the hard cap. The other, and more probable, outcome for Rozier remaining a Celtic would be by way of Boston matching an offer sheet. There are a few teams in the league that will have space to throw at Terry if they wish to do so (such as the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, or Chicago Bulls).
Since he is a restricted free agent, Boston would be able to match any offer given to him by a team with greater financial freedom, though not to their advantage. Matching offer sheets can often mean you take a risk that you will be overpaying a player a team is trying to obtain by way of outbidding you. That’s how teams have ended up with contracts like Tyler Johnson’s, Otto Porter Jr.’s, and Allen Crabbe’s.
Looking past the near future and further down the road, the Celtics will have plenty of hard negotiations and tough calls to make. After the 2019-20 season, Jaylen Brown will be without a contract and due for money, and Jayson Tatum is the same scenario after the 2020-21 season. Moving Rozier and deciding to pass on a long-term financial investment in him may be a smart move as they plan out their future.
Next Up: Filling Other Needs
