The Boston Celtics have reached the conference finals four times in the last six years as Jayson Tatum has gone from top pick to superstar. The 25-year-old has been first-team All-NBA for two straight years and is just entering his prime, but he has been unable to lift the Celtics to their 18th championship.
The Celtics are facing an inflection point for their franchise. They are going to have to pay Tatum and Jaylen Brown if they want to continue building around their two stars, but the roster will soon get expensive. Brad Stevens and the brain trust will have to decide how to maximize their talent as they enter the second tax apron.