NBA Rumors: Celtics Projected to Have Record $500M+ Payroll on 2025-26 Salary Cap

The Boston Celtics are atop the NBA world after winning their 18th championship in franchise history, and attempting to stay there is going to cost them a significant amount of money.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted Wednesday that Boston is "headed toward" becoming the first $500 million roster in NBA history by the 2025-26 campaign.

The front office rewarded Jayson Tatum (five years, $314 million), Derrick White (four years, $126 million) and Sam Hauser (four years, $45 million) with notable contract extensions this offseason. There are now seven rotation players from the 2023-24 championship team under contract for at least the next two seasons and six signed for at least the next three.

Bontemps explained that Boston also has 11 players signed for the 2025-26 campaign for $225 million and would have a projected payroll of approximately $233 million with a draft pick and minimum salaried players added.

That is $45 million over the projected luxury tax and would give the Celtics a projected tax bill of $280 million when there are harsher penalties next offseason.

Between the players under contract and the tax bill, that would represent a payroll of approximately $513 million for the 2025-26 season.

That would mean the Phoenix Suns' expected record payroll for the 2024-25 season wouldn't last long. Earlier this month, ESPN's Bobby Marks noted Phoenix is expected to become the first team with a payroll over $400 million after it agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with Josh Okogie.

The current record is the $388 million payroll of last season's Golden State Warriors.

Boston's situation comes with another layer, as team governor Wyc Grousbeck and his family placed their controlling stake in the franchise up for sale. On the one hand, potential buyers will surely be pleased with a loaded roster with plenty of star power that could continue realistically competing for championships.

On the other hand, such a payroll would mean quite the tax bill that new governors would have to inherit.

For now, the Celtics are in an ideal position to defend their title.

Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Al Horford is arguably the best top-six in the league, and players such as Hauser provide important depth. While the team could be staring at a troubling payroll situation at the start of the 2025-26 season, it could also be back-to-back champions.