Celtics Show Suns How to Escape Second Apron Burden

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Boston Celtics recently demonstrated to the Phoenix Suns how to navigate the grueling restrictions of the NBA’s second apron. With the upcoming 2025–26 season, teams are grappling with a financial framework that can stifle their roster flexibility.

For the past two seasons, the Suns have faced the challenge of an unyielding salary cap, particularly with the second apron now set at $207.8 million. This financial handicap has constrained their roster decisions, hampering their ability to adapt effectively amidst rising expenses.

In contrast, the Celtics found a way to alleviate their salary cap troubles. After their championship win, Boston faced a dilemma as star player Jayson Tatum dealt with an Achilles injury. Despite their compressed budget, the Celtics made strategic moves, beginning with the trade of Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. This move not only added young talent in Anfernee Simons but also created $4.7 million in space.

Then they orchestrated a three-team deal involving Kristaps Porzingis, shedding a massive $22.5 million in payroll. These calculated moves have afforded Boston greater financial flexibility, bringing their total payroll $4.5 million under the second apron.

Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, engineered a series of trades that allowed his team to escape financial constraints without a complete overhaul. The Suns, on the other hand, continue to feel trapped, especially with Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause complicating their efforts to carve out flexibility.

As the Suns contemplate their next moves, they must seek creative solutions to offload Beal and simultaneously acquire valuable assets. Observers speculate that a three-team deal might be the key to unlocking new opportunities and establishing long-term stability.

With the NBA draft approaching, the urgency is palpable. The league’s landscape is shifting rapidly, with teams making bold trades as they position themselves for success. Brian Gregory, the Suns’ general manager, faces an uphill battle if he hopes to streamline the team’s payroll and restore its competitiveness.

The upcoming days will be critical for the Suns. The question remains whether they can replicate the Celtics’ success in shedding salary while maintaining a competitive roster.