BOSTON — Conventional wisdom pegged the Celtics as dynastic after they steamrolled the NBA toward a championship last year.&nbsp;

Their core — specifically Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis — were all in their 20s. They’re all under contract until at least 2026. They represented to Jalen Brunson what the Bulls represented to Patrick Ewing in the 1990s — the unclearable hurdle.&nbsp;

But it’s a different time and, for several reasons (luxury tax rules, rise in injuries, rules to benefit small-market franchises), NBA dynasties don’t really happen anymore. Everybody thought the Nuggets were destined for a long run after their 2023 championship. They just fired their coach and are one loss away from losing in the second round again. Giannis Antetokounmpo? He won a title and hasn’t come close since. The Warriors were an outlier and about out of gas. Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers were the last NBA franchise to 3-peat.&nbsp;

Assuming the Celtics take a step back next season without Jayson Tatum, what teams are left in the East?{ai:summary}<p>The Boston Celtics were viewed as a potential dynasty after winning the NBA championship last year, with a young core under contract until 2026. However, the current landscape of the NBA, marked by luxury tax rules, injuries, and small-market advantages, suggests that sustained dynasties are increasingly rare.</p><p>Recent examples, like the Nuggets and Giannis Antetokounmpo's team, illustrate the challenges of maintaining dominance in the league. The last team to achieve a three-peat was Shaquille O'Neal's Lakers, over two decades ago. #sports</p>

The Knicks’ path to the top of the East just drastically changed

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