Celtics were destined for a cap-based salary reset this offseason; With the Tatum news, the gap year becomes more imparitive. Brown would be hard to give up / replace but, luckily, Ime loves Brown and Houston is looking to Level up...

Celtics return is former #1 pick Smith, the #10 pick, Cam Witmore, a 2028 swap, and their 2030 2nd back. Brooks helps them stay competitive and is on a 2-year contract timeline, which would give them a defensive wing while Tatum works his way back. They send out Brown and Hauser's contracts, ducking the second apron and coming one move / 6 million away from ducking the first apron next year.

After a lack of lottery luck, Brooklyn takes on the Hauser, Holiday, and Landale (non-guaranteed) contracts. In return, Houston extinguishes their trade rights on the 2027 pick.

Houston moves forward with a Brown / Thompson / Sengun / Jalen Green core, move off contract decisions for Smith / Whitmore, open up playing time for Eason & Sheppard, keep the future Phoenix picks / more than enough in the chamber for another move. They'd technically be under the first apron at the start of the league year.