The Celtics are weighing a number of different moves this offseason as they explore ways to reduce a historic luxury tax bill following Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles. One notable name that could be on the trade block is Kristaps Porzingis. The 29-year-old has been a key part of the Celtics roster for the past two years but struggled through the 2025 postseason while dealing with the lingering effects of a mysterious illness that sidelined him for nine games in March.
Porzingis has one year remaining on his contract after signing a two-year extension with Boston back in July 2023. He is earning $30.3 million next year, making him a movable trade chip, but his value around the league is uncertain after his postseason performance and a history of durability issues (99 games played in the last two years).
Boston could look to move other potential roster players (Jrue Holiday, Sam Hauser) while keeping Porzingis in hopes he can rebuild his value next season. However, given his age and contract situation, Brad Stevens could pull the trigger on a move this summer if he finds the right return.
One team that desperately needs some big man help are the Phoenix Suns. NBA insider Jake Fischer writes on Marc Stein’s Substack today that the Suns may be a team taking a closer look at Porzingis.
“I’ve also heard that Phoenix has done some background work on Kristaps Porziņģis with Boston known to be exploring its trade options up and down the roster,” Fischer reports.
The Suns were not on the list of potential Porzingis trade destinations laid out by MassLive earlier this month and that comes for good reasons. Both the Celtics and Suns are currently set to be above the second apron next season, making any trade between the two teams illegal as things currently stand. However, both teams are expected to be very busy this offseason in their attempts to reduce some payroll. The Suns are deep in Kevin Durant trade talks at the moment with a host of players and draft picks expected to coming back their way once that deal goes through.
If the Suns are able to dip under the second apron (or waive contracts so they can dip under second apron beginning in July) they will be able to aggregate salaries in any trade. The Suns wouldn’t be able to take back more than 100 percent of any salary they send out if they remain above the first apron, but if they can find a landing spot for some salary with a third team, that would open the door for a hypothetical Porzingis swap.
There’s obviously not a lot that would entice the Celtics right now on the Suns current roster. Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale are on mid-level deals that could reduce some salary and be easier to move, but those are long-term pacts. Beyond that, it’s just a lot of big salaries (Beal, Booker) and smaller ones that won’t be particularly helpful in a deal.
Ultimately, a lot of things would need to happen for a deal like this to become feasible (perhaps the Celtics could work their way into the Durant deal as a facilitator) but even that would be tricky with their second apron limitations. The Suns do need a center though and if they want to compete next year despite losing Durant, Porzingis may be one of their best options at center available on the trade market.