Over the weekend, noted Boston Celtics fan and sports commentator Bill Simmons told NBA Insider Zach Lowe that he doesn't think the Celtics are really in the mix for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the trade market this offseason.

The rumor mill has been rampant with Antetokounmpo speculation since the Milwaukee Bucks season ended, but the connection to Boston has waned over the last few days, with multiple insiders expressing doubt that either side is really interested in a deal.

But Simmons made another interesting point in his comments, saying that he thinks if the Celtics were to trade the likes of Jaylen Brown, it would be to avoid having two max-contract players at the same time. Presumably, he thinks that the Celtics wouldn't want to trade Brown and his expensive deal just to get Antetokounmpo and his expensive deal.

So, it's led us to this question: Are the Boston Celtics interested in shedding payroll and we don't even really know it?

The answer: Maybe, because some of the signs have pointed in that direction.

Last offseason, the Celtics engineered two major trades which saved them significant dollars. They sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, saving about $40 million in 2025-26 luxury tax payments. Holiday was an integral part of the C's championship run in 2023-24. 

They also traded Kristaps Porzingis, another championship holdover, to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal. ESPN reported that the two deals combined saved the Celtics $180 million in total luxury tax payments. 

And don't forget that Boston let Al Horford go in free agency as well, foregoing another veteran that could have been signed to a decent-sized contract.

These three decisions all paint the Celtics as potentially desiring to save money and get under various luxury tax lines.

Of course, this is possible:

1) Perhaps the Celtics would have kept the team together and chased another championship with that core if Jayson Tatum had been healthy.

2) However, since Tatum was expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season because of his torn Achilles, perhaps the Celtics decided to view the year as a "gap year," trying to get more salary cap compliant and trying to re-tool in this offseason with a healthy Tatum and some additional payroll flexibility. At least that would be the hope, but since Simmons mentioned the idea of saving money, the idea that the C's are interested in that can't be ignored.

After going 56-26 and earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Celtics have to see themselves as serious playoff contenders, and they really should see themselves as Finals contenders considering the state of the Eastern Conference as a whole.

Maybe Boston doesn't want to take on the likes of Antetokounmpo's deal, but they shouldn't be rushing to get rid of Brown's money, either. Brown and Tatum are both All-NBA players they should be able to get the Celtics in the ballpark of competing for an Eastern Conference title.

If the Celtics want to move the Derrick White contract in exchange for someone youthful and impactful, I'd understand, but solely trying to base the offseason around money would be the wrong choice.

This team is still capable of winning, and it should act as such.

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