Regardless of whether the Celtics pursue Durant or stand pat, their financial future is a major talking point. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Celtics are on pace to carry the highest payroll in NBA history, potentially reaching $500 million (plus tax penalties) if they retain their current core for next season.

The Boston Celtics are the reigning NBA champions, and they look poised to make a hearty title defense this summer. The Phoenix Suns are suddenly looking a little more like the team many expected them to be, winning four straight and surging back into the play-in mix.

Despite not being the number one seeded team in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics are still major favorites to make it to the NBA Finals and win it all