The Boston Celtics are exploring options to reduce their salary commitments, with veteran center Kristaps Porziņģis emerging as a trade candidate drawing interest from the Phoenix Suns, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. Porziņģis, 29, carries an expiring contract worth $30.7 million, making him an attractive target for Phoenix as they look to address their pressing need for a reliable interior presence.
The Suns’ replacement of their center position is urgent as they reshape their roster around star player Devin Booker. Acquiring Porziņģis would address this immediately while also providing potential salary cap flexibility by helping Phoenix stay under the league’s second apron threshold.
Trade Complexities with Salary Cap and Kevin Durant’s Preferences
Despite the apparent fit, a direct trade sending Kevin Durant to Boston in exchange for Porziņģis is unlikely. Both teams are currently over the second apron, which prevents salary aggregation needed to complete the deal. Additionally, Celtics are not prioritized among Durant’s favored destinations.
However, there is the possibility of a multi-team trade scenario where Durant joins a preferred team, Porziņģis moves to Phoenix, and Boston acquires a valuable—but less talented—player along with crucial salary relief. Such a deal would help Boston maintain flexibility while addressing roster needs.
Porziņģis Identified as Boston’s Most Trade-Ready Veteran
After Boston’s disappointing exit in the second round of the playoffs, NBA insider Marc Stein identified Porziņģis as the Celtics’ most likely veteran to be moved because of his expiring and substantial contract. Alongside teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, Porziņģis stands out due to his salary and availability.
Most rival teams continue to regard Kristaps Porziņģis as the most movable Boston vet thanks to the Latvian big man’s $30.7 million expiring contract,
Stein wrote on May 18 in his Substack newsletter, The Stein Line.
Porziņģis played an important role during his first season with Boston, contributing to the franchise winning its record 18th banner. However, ongoing health issues have caused regression in his performance, especially during their recent playoff loss to the New York Knicks.
During that series, Porziņģis averaged only 4.2 points on 24% shooting and logged just 15.5 minutes per game, primarily impacted by a mysterious respiratory illness that affected his effectiveness.
Concerns Raised Over Trading Porziņģis Despite Salary Relief Benefits
Reducing Porziņģis’s salary would significantly lower Boston’s payroll, which could near $500 million if the current roster remains intact. Nevertheless, a league insider cautioned against trading him, emphasizing the difference his health makes.
You do realize that if Porziņģis is healthy, we’re not having this conversation, right?
the league source told Heavy Sports’ Steve Bulpett.
The Celtics win that series, Thibodeau gets fired and almost nobody gives it a second thought. It had been set up that he needed to get that team this far or that far, or his job could be in question. Then they get to the conference finals and they still let him go. What does that tell you?
Porziņģis’s availability has been inconsistent, as evidenced by his appearance in only 99 regular-season games out of a possible 164 over two seasons, corresponding to a 60.3% availability rate. His health concerns remain a critical factor in any trade discussions.
Implications for Boston’s Roster and Future Moves
The Celtics face a challenging balancing act between managing their salary cap space and fielding a competitive team, especially with Jayson Tatum recovering from an Achilles injury, which heightens the need for reliable contributors like Porziņģis when healthy. The potential trade of Porziņģis could open financial breathing room and lead to the acquisition of players to boost the lineup depth.
As the Kevin Durant trade rumors intensify, Boston’s ability to navigate multi-team deals involving Porziņģis will be pivotal in shaping their offseason strategy and overall team outlook for the upcoming NBA season.