On August 20, the Boston Celtics' 2025 offseason operations sparked widespread doubts. According to David Aldridge, a senior reporter for The Athletic, the Celtics' series of moves were considered the worst in the league this offseason.

The Celtics entered this summer's offseason with a self-imposed mandate: drastically cut payroll and reduce expenses. They achieved their goals on that score. However, these moves had little to do with competitive improvement and were driven solely by financial considerations. Aldridge bluntly stated that the team's roster adjustments weren't driven by winning, casting a shadow over Boston's future competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.

Aldridge wrote in his commentary: "The second luxury tax cuts the Celtics' dream of continuing to dominate the Eastern Conference like a scythe. While waiting for Jayson Tatum to return, the team must consider which players will play alongside Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, who is likely to stay. Will Anfernee Simons become an important part of the reconstruction? Or will he just be traded again in exchange for more chips?"

It's worth noting that Aldridge isn't the only voice expressing doubts. The discussion surrounding the Celtics' front office centers on two core issues: first, whether the team is prematurely giving up on the potential of its current roster; and second, whether the window of opportunity before Tatum's return will lead to a long-term slump. For a prestigious franchise with a rich tradition and a vast fan base, these concerns are well-founded.

Overall, this evaluation highlights concerns about the Celtics' future. The team, which has consistently held a top position in the Eastern Conference for the past few years thanks to core players like Tatum and Brown, has become conservative due to financial constraints, even being labeled the league's worst offseason. With Tatum's return and potential trades underway, whether Boston can quickly return to contention will be a key focus for the entire NBA.