Executives around the NBA generally view Kristaps Porzingis as the Celtics‘ top trade candidate this offseason as the team looks to reduce its salary, says Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Porzingis has played a limited role during Boston’s last two playoff runs due to health issues and will be on an expiring $30.7MM contract in 2025/26.
However, the general consensus is that the Celtics won’t be looking to trade just one highly paid player.
“Boston needs to get off two big salaries at least, or they’ll have massive tax implications,” one NBA executive told HoopsHype. “(Jayson) Tatum‘s injury lets them use next year as a gap year to audition other players or young guys.”
While Derrick White has drawn consistent interest from teams across the league, per Scotto, the Celtics have always rebuffed those inquiries in the past and would presumably be more inclined to shop Jrue Holiday if they move off one of their veteran guards.
Reserve wing Sam Hauser is also considered a trade candidate by rival NBA executives, according to Scotto, who notes that 2024 first-rounder Baylor Scheierman is viewed by talent evaluators as a player who could take on Hauser’s role sooner or later.
Here’s more from Scotto:
- Re-signing Naz Reid is considered a top priority for the Timberwolves, but executives around the NBA believe Minnesota is unlikely to retain Reid, Julius Randle, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who are all eligible for free agency this offseason.
- The Magic, who were recently identified as a possible suitor for Alexander-Walker, made a play for the Timberwolves guard at February’s trade deadline, according to Scotto, who says many executives are projecting the 26-year-old to receive the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception or something close to it.
- Rival executives are monitoring the Kings‘ veteran trio of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, and believe the team will explore trading one or more of those players either this offseason or by the 2026 trade deadline, Scotto writes. It might take a trade request for Sacramento to seriously consider dealing Sabonis, and LaVine’s maximum-salary contract figures to be difficult to move. That leaves DeRozan and perhaps center Jonas Valanciunas, who will be on a pseudo-expiring $10.4MM contract, as the Kings’ top potential trade candidates.
- In case you missed it, we also passed along reporting from Scotto on a potential point guard target for the Kings, along with a handful of Clippers-related rumors.
Kings are stuck with LaVine since he is nowhere worth that $47 million plus contract with a player option. Sabonis would be them throwing up teh white flag and saying its rebuild time. So that leaves DeRozan that will only bring back matching contracts but nothing special.
This is EXACTLY why I was joyful when I heard they traded him. It was an ENORMOUS dead weight contract for a guy who never contributed to anything for team success. They will regret this deal by next year.
They already do
I was surprised when all they got for Fox was abad contract and a draft pick.
Kings have 3 players to move on from, Monk, Carter and DeRozan. You are right Kings are stuck with LaVine, so fine players that work with his game. Use those 3 players to fine players that work in trades and start to balance the roster.
Lavine can be a third wheel on a championship team. Porzingus and Schroeder would be a winning combo. Sabonis is a 4.
You keep telling yourself that Lavine is a 3rd wheel on a title team. At best, he’s probably the 4th best option.
Porzingis is still a young, high-quality player. Many teams out there would bite your hand off for a big like him. Orlando comes to mind first (a solution for Paolo-Franz spacing issues?). GSW as well, though we haven’t seen somebody like him under Kerr. Boston will benefit in a trade, for sure.
KP6 is sensational, but… right now I would expect BOS to sweeten a deal for him as he seems to be injured frequently this last 2 years, so BOS must give assets to move on from his salary or keep him for one more year and rebuild his value if he can stay healthy!
He’s a positive asset – no way Boston would have to incentivise the deal. And an expiring contract in 2026, teams want that.
Time will tell, but BOS fans always overvalue their players, so will see what happens, I just wish he could be healthy and play the whole season.
All fans overvalue the players on their team.
Too true, too true!!!
Don’t have to trade KP. If in Boston his next contract maybe team friendly. Do need cover for KP though.
Minny needs to keep Reid and Randle. Let Alexander-Walker go.