So much has changed since the last time the Celtics rode the duck boats through the Back Bay, and it changed in a hurry.

"The basketball penalties associated with [staying above the second apron] are real," Stevens said.

While the Celtics have slashed payroll this summer, they maintained their future flexibility when it comes to draft picks and other assets.

Jayson Tatum's injury has also forced the Celtics to reassess their future. Thankfully, the team has been able to hold onto Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. Those two players will stick around as the main core of the roster around Tatum when he returns from the torn Achilles that he suffered during the second round of the NBA Playoffs.