Kristaps Porzingis is entering the last year of his current contract with the Boston Celtics, prompting speculation about his trade value with Boston Celtics as the team looks to manage salary cap constraints. Head coach Brad Stevens is expected to explore trade opportunities this summer in an effort to stay below the second luxury tax apron.
Former Celtics forward Marcus Morris recently shared his perspective on Porzingis’ compatibility with the Celtics during an appearance on Yahoo Sports’ Good Word With Goodwill podcast. Morris suggested that Porzingis does not quite fit the Celtics’ style or needs, largely due to injuries and consistency issues.
“I’m going to be candid because I’m on the media’s side. Porzingis is not a Celtic. Porzingis doesn’t embody what they need from him. That’s not no knock to him; I know he has injuries. I think you definitely dangle him to see what you can get. But I don’t think you can get that much, to be honest, the way this league is going on,”
Morris said.
Porzingis has shown clear potential when healthy, but injuries have limited his ability to contribute steadily. Because of this, the Celtics may seek a more reliable presence at the center or power forward positions, even if it means sacrificing some of Porzingis’ upside.
Big Man Rotation Remains Uncertain as Luke Kornet Approaches Free Agency
Beyond Porzingis, Boston’s frontcourt depth is under scrutiny. Luke Kornet, another key big man for the Celtics, is entering unrestricted free agency after two seasons as an effective backup. Kornet’s increasing performance has caught the attention of several teams ready to leverage the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to offer him a raise.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on June 16 that,
“Kornet ranks as one of the best players analytically entering free agency,”
and added,
“After thoroughly outplaying his current contract, Kornet is expected to earn a substantial pay raise and have a robust market this summer among various teams who have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to spend.”
Kornet has been an important rotation player under coach Joe Mazzulla, but the Celtics’ challenging salary cap situation could force them to let Kornet test free agency rather than meeting his expected pay increase. Retaining Kornet would help stabilize Boston’s frontcourt, but financial flexibility may take priority.
Al Horford’s Future Also in Question as Celtics Face Salary Decisions
Adding to Boston’s roster dilemmas, veteran Al Horford is also set to become a free agent. According to Scotto, several playoff-contending teams are monitoring Horford’s situation, aware that the Celtics could struggle to retain him given their salary limitations and the projected absence of Jayson Tatum next season.
“Predominantly, high-level playoff contenders are monitoring Horford to see if he’d leave Boston, with the Celtics expected to take a step back without Tatum next season and in a financial crunch regarding their salary books,”
Scotto noted.
Horford appeared in 60 games this past season, averaging 9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range. His evolution into a reliable perimeter shooter has added a new dimension to his game, complementing his veteran leadership and experience, which have been valuable to the Celtics.
Despite his contributions, Boston faces difficult choices as they navigate their financial limits. Horford’s departure would leave a leadership void and create challenges in the frontcourt, but the Celtics must balance their roster needs against budget realities.
As the Celtics prepare for the summer, decisions regarding Porzingis, Kornet, and Horford will shape the team’s structure moving forward. These moves are critical not only for managing salary cap concerns but also for maintaining competitiveness in a league where roster flexibility and consistent availability are vital.