The Boston Celtics rank 14th overall in ESPN’s latest ‘Now or Later’ NBA rankings, indicating less pressure to win immediately than many would expect. ESPN’s assessment, published ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, factors in future salary commitments and the value of upcoming first-round draft picks to determine each team’s urgency to win now.
ESPN’s Zach Kram explained that the Celtics’ position stems largely from the Jaylen Brown trade, which “reset the Celtics’ competitive clock a bit, lessening pressure on their long-term cap sheet and bringing back new draft assets.” While Boston remains a costly team with Jayson Tatum’s supermax contract and significant deals for Paul George and Derrick White, the trade has eased financial strain and added draft capital.
Boston’s overall rank, 14th, places it behind 13 teams that ESPN views as having more immediate pressure to succeed, including the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks. The Celtics ranked 8th in projected future spending but only 17th in the value of future draft picks, which contributed to their mid-table overall placement.
The financial element was a clear motivator behind Boston’s decision to trade Brown, who had three years left on his deal and was eligible for another lucrative extension. Celtics president Brad Stevens has stated that having “70 percent of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players” was not the best way to build a championship contender. Moving Brown freed up cap space and brought in two future first-round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite some opinions that the 76ers benefited more from the trade, ESPN’s ranking system suggests that the deal has relieved some of the immediate urgency on Boston. The Celtics still have a roster capable of extending their record streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 13 seasons, the longest active run in the NBA.
The team also carries new contracts for centers Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta, who add to Boston’s salary commitments beyond the core. This mix of contracts and draft assets informed ESPN’s view that while Boston remains expensive, it is not among the most pressured franchises to win right now.
The Celtics’ ranking reflects a balance between financial flexibility and competitive expectations. While Tatum’s supermax and other significant deals keep Boston’s payroll high, the trade for Brown’s departure has bought the franchise some breathing room.
The ‘Now or Later’ rankings from ESPN offer a snapshot of how teams are positioned for immediate success versus longer-term rebuilding, using a combination of salary cap analysis and draft pick valuation. For Boston, the latest assessment places them solidly in the middle of the pack in terms of urgency.
No further roster moves or strategic decisions have been announced by the Celtics since the trade, leaving their current place in ESPN’s rankings as the latest confirmed development regarding their competitive timeline.
According to Yahoo Sports.
