Which Boston Celtics alumni are earning the most dead money?

Sometimes, even very well-run ball clubs like the Boston Celtics make mistakes big enough that they hang around to haunt a team for seasons after the mistake was made. Most often, this comes in the form of signing a player to a contract they cannot possibly live up to the value of due to any of many unforeseen circumstances.

When that happens, a franchise will usually cut and stretch a player’s salary over multiple seasons to preserve as much of their cap space as possible for the duration of the contract remaining stretched between three and five seasons to ease the cap hit to the team. More often, however, a team will eat the deal at once, especially when it’s a smaller contract or just a season or two left on it, with what remains on the books still owed known as “dead money” in league parlance.

And in a recent HoopsHype analysis, it seems several Celtics alumni made the top 30 contracts of dead money in the league for these sorts of deals; let’s look at which deals they are on and where they are ranked.

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30. Demetrius Jackson (Free Agent)

Jul 11, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Boston Celtics guard Demetrius Jackson (9) shoots against the defense of Philadelphia 76ers guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Makes $92,857 from Boston this season

29. Neemias Queta (Boston)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first half of a preseason game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Makes $250,000 from Sacramento this season

26. Lamar Stevens (Boston)

Oct 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) drives to the basket as Boston Celtics forward Lamar Stevens (77) and center Luke Kornet (40) defend during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Makes $400,000 from San Antonio this season

25. Malik Fitts (Free Agent)

Apr 3, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Malik Fitts (8) celebrates after a three point basket during the second half against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Makes $555,217 from Indiana this season

24. Juwan Morgan (Runa Basket Moscow)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 23: Daniel Theis #27, Juwan Morgan #4 and Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics high-five after defeating the Miami Heat in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Makes $576,230 from Indiana this season

22. Nik Stauskas (Free Agent)

Mar 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Nik Stauskas (9) drives past Detroit Pistons forward Justin Robinson (55) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Makes $702,311 from Indiana this season

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