After delivering Hayward to Charlotte in November, the Celtics have until this summer to take back up to $ 28.5 million in negotiations without having to match that salary. Boston now has a strict limit after using the mid-level exception to hire Tristan Thompson, so Boston can only get back about $ 19 million in salary, but that increases with any salary sent as part of a deal. Still, there are obstacles in any decision making, especially if the Celtics want to be under the tax due to the increase in the cap sheet when the Jayson Tatum extension begins next season.
So, who should be the green target with that exception? Here is a writer’s first attempt at a wish list that we will update as other potential options become available before the March negotiation deadline: