Celtics enter offseason clouded by Jayson Tatum's injury

• With its roster cost set to skyrocket, Boston already was due for a reckoning this offseason. Losing Tatum further complicates things.

Catch up quick: In the waning moments of last Monday night's game, Tatum crumpled to the TD Garden court in clear agony, clutching his right ankle.

• He has since had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Recovery can take a year or more, leaving Tatum's availability for next season in doubt.

Friction point: This comes as the Celtics' roster is about to become very expensive, amid a transition to new owners.

• Because of new provisions in the NBA's luxury tax, which penalizes big-spending teams, they could have the first $500-million roster in league history.

That price tag would have been tough to swallow even if the Celtics were a title contender. It's unlikely they will be with their All-NBA forward sidelined.

What we're watching: The Celtics will look to cut salary — but how deeply?

• Moving on from aging favorites like Al Horford and Jrue Holiday seems likely.
• Bigger moves could include trading away unicorn center Kristaps Porziņģis or three-point ace Derrick White.

The biggest domino: League observers are speculating that the Celtics could even seek to trade fellow superstar Jaylen Brown.

• Painful as his departure would be for fans, he could net them a top draft pick to use on a younger — and cheaper — partner for Tatum.

The bottom line: Tatum may not recognize the team around him the next time he takes the court.