Celtics Beat Episode 640: “Tatum's Leadership Shows During Rehab” w/ Keith Smith

Release Date: September 7, 2025
Host: Adam Kaufman (with Evan Valenti)
Guest: Keith Smith (SpotTrack, co-host of the Front Office Show)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into recent NBA salary cap and contract controversies, especially relating to the alleged Clippers/Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention, what it means for the Celtics and the league, and how the upcoming salary cap projections impact Boston's roster decisions moving forward. The show also features important updates on Jayson Tatum’s rehab and his leadership style, as well as a tribute to Celtics PR legend Jeff Twiss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NBA Salary Cap Circumvention and the Kawhi Leonard/Clippers Allegations

[04:06–21:45]

• Context:
  The NBA is investigating alleged salary cap circumvention involving the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, centered on payments from a "no-show" company for which Leonard allegedly did no real work.

• Keith Smith's Take:

  • “Any kind of alleged salary cap circumvention is massive... If this happened, they 100% cheated. That is not finding a loophole.” (05:05)
  • “If we get to a place where our actual sports... there are people going around the rules... and I've seen some people say, so they found a loophole. What's the big deal? They didn't find a loophole... they cheated.” (05:54)
  • Notable difference between clever manipulation (finding loopholes) and outright breaking/bending of the rules.

• League and Owner Reactions:

  • Adam and Keith discuss that some owners are demanding severe penalties while others are more cautious, presumably not wanting their own operations scrutinized.

• Ways Cap Circumvention Might Manifest:

  • Examples include "insider" investment tips, inflated documentary deals, and unchecked sponsorships.
  • “As far as actually paying a guy a whole bunch of money, I don't know how common that is. And if it is happening, teams have been pretty smart about hiding it.” (09:02)

• Legal/Procedural Differences from the NFL:

  • In the NFL, creative accounting is allowed via contract bonuses and restructuring, but the NBA’s CBA is far stricter.
  • “NBA players are not allowed to draw off book salary for anything that is compensation for playing.” (14:37)
  • Even common regional endorsements for players are different than the $7 million per year allegedly paid to Kawhi Leonard for no deliverables.

• Potential Penalties:

  • Refers to historic punishments (Joe Smith/T-Wolves case: voided contracts, fines, lost picks, suspensions).
  • “I think we're going to see suspensions. I think we will see loss of draft picks." (19:34)
  • More severe actions (e.g., voiding contracts, owner suspensions) are possible, but forcing a team sale is unlikely.

2. Celtics’ Salary Cap Situation and Roster Flexibility

[26:51–37:24]

• Current Outlook:

  • Celtics are under the second apron due to offloading Porzingis and Holiday; maintaining roster flexibility is paramount.
  • Next large increase in cap is being projected at ~7% for 2026–27, less than previously hoped.

• Impact on Team-Building:

  • “...Porzingis is gone, Holiday's gone. Now what you want is, you want that gap between the team salary and the taxes... to continue to grow... more flexibility for them to add guys as they start to build this back up next summer.” (32:35)
  • The real loss isn’t huge—“It’s literally a million dollars more for next year. This year is already done, locked in stone...”

• No Regrets on Porziņģis/Holiday Moves:

  • The decision to trade expensive veterans for cap flexibility still stands, even as Porziņģis has big EuroBasket performances: “If Jason Tatum comes back and plays at any point in this season, that's incredible... but I'm just not going to believe it until I see it.” (35:12)

3. Jayson Tatum’s Injury Rehab and Leadership

[37:24–48:28]

• Updates from Teammates:

  • Jordan Walsh on Tatum’s rehab:
    • “He’s moving around way better. He’s progressing well. I’m definitely happy to see him getting back healthy... to see him in the gym definitely sets a precedent for everybody else.” (38:00)

• Return Timeline:

  • Medical history and team conservatism suggests Tatum is unlikely to return in 2025–26, but a late-season symbolic return (like Paul George post-leg-break) isn’t ruled out if safe.
  • “If we see him, it'll be because he could get some run in in the regular season... but I tend to think we're probably not going to see him.” (42:09)

• Tatum’s Leadership Style:

  • Evan pushes back at public doubts about Tatum's leadership, citing how his relentless rehab and gym presence inspire teammates.
  • “That's the stuff that matters to me... There is some serious leadership that's happening in that locker room at this moment.” (44:41)
  • Keith adds: “Not all leadership has to look exactly the same… They’ve always kind of stayed true to who they are... I think these guys have grown into being really good leaders.” (45:51, 48:07)
  • On Tatum’s fire: “He does get fire... we don’t like is he gets a little too fiery when he’s complaining... but there are things that happen.” (47:11)

4. Tribute: Jeff Twiss and Celtics Legacy

[48:28–56:53]

• Honoring Jeff Twiss:

  • Celebrating Celtics PR legend Jeff Twiss, recipient of the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • “Jeff Twist is very much at the top of the list [as an ambassador of the Celtics].” (51:08)
  • Keith shares a personal story of Twiss' incredible memory and connection with the team’s extended family, underscoring Twiss’s humility and impact.
  • “He told players when they first get to the Celtics: You're part of the family now...” (51:13)
  • Evan: “He’s the guy that keeps us all connected... in one of the, if not the best PR guy in the NBA.” (54:27)

• The Importance of Organizational Continuity:

  • Tribute to how Twiss, much like other long-tenure PR professionals, anchors the Celtics legacy and keeps the franchise’s history alive and present.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• Keith Smith on Cap Cheating:

  • “If this happened, they 100% cheated. That is not finding a loophole.” (05:05)

• Adam Kaufman on the NBA’s Ownership Reaction:

  • “To what end... might the league go to try and sweep this under the rug like it didn’t happen?” (17:07)

• Keith Smith on Penalties:

  • “...every contract has... ‘for the good of the game’ clauses... we’re gonna give the commissioner... to do what they need to do.” (18:30)

• Evan Valenti, on Tatum’s Locker Room Leadership:

  • “We don't know what it's like. Just because he's not super vocal about it doesn't mean it's not happening behind the scenes.” (44:27)

• Keith Smith, on Leadership Styles:

  • “Not all leadership has to look exactly the same... [Tatum and Brown] have grown into being really good leaders because they've always stayed true to who they are.” (45:51)

• Keith Smith, on Jeff Twiss:

  • “[Twiss] tells players when they first get to the Celtics: ‘You’re part of the family now,’ right? Once a Celtic, always a Celtic...” (51:13)

Section Timestamps

• Kawhi Salary Cap Allegations & League Impact:
  04:06–21:45
• Celtics Cap Flexibility & Trade Rationale:
  26:51–37:24
• Tatum’s Rehab, Return Prospects, & Leadership:
  37:24–48:28
• Jeff Twiss Tribute & Celtics Culture:
  48:28–56:53

Memorable Moments

• Lighthearted “Kawhi Leonard Special” joke about podcast ambassador roles (03:33)
• Candid, insightful breakdowns of the differences between legal cap maneuvering and outright cheating in NBA/NFL (13:48)
• Evan and Keith discuss the misperceptions of Jayson Tatum’s leadership style, drawing a clear line between what fans think and what actually happens in the locker room (44:41–48:28)
• Personal, endearing stories about Jeff Twiss’s impact, celebrating how the Celtics run deeper than on-court legacies (51:13, 53:33)

Summary

Episode 640 of Celtics Beat is a packed, savvy exploration of the evolving financial and locker-room dynamics of modern NBA basketball. The hosts and guest Keith Smith break down salary cap enforcement, why the latest alleged Kawhi Leonard/Clippers scandal is so significant, and how Boston is strategically positioning itself under the new CBA. The deep-dive on Jayson Tatum’s rehab, his subtle yet powerful leadership, and a heartfelt tribute to PR icon Jeff Twiss all make this episode especially rich for Celtics loyalists and NBA fans alike.

If you care about the intersection of contracts, cap implications, team-building philosophy and what really goes on behind the scenes in NBA locker rooms, this is an essential listen—or read.