It’s no secret that the Boston Celtics need a starting-level big man. Their issues on the defensive glass (where they rank 25th in the NBA) have been well documented. Neemias Queta is doing an admirable job as the starting center this season, yet it’s clear he’s better suited to a role off the bench. It’s understandable, then, that the Celtics fanbase is open to the idea of an in-season trade to acquire a new starting-caliber big man. So, when a report emerged that the Sacramento Kings are considering entering a full-scale rebuild, it was inevitable that Domantas Sabonis’ name would be thrown around in trade talks. The problem for Boston is that Sabonis is set to earn $42.3 million this season, with that figure incrementally increasing in the coming years. When you factor in Boston’s current salary cap restrictions, it’s hard to see how you fit Sabonis in without damaging the team’s ability to round out the roster. To put this into perspective for next season, Jayson Tatum will account for 35.2% of the Celtics’ total cap space. Jaylen Brown will take an additional 34.4%. Derrick White will eat 18.3% of the cap, too. Adding Sabonis into the equation would mean another 27.4% of the cap is committed. That would take Boston to 115.3% of the cap, meaning it would be a tax-paying team before filling the other 11 available roster spots. The cap is a real thing. Next seasonTatum will take up 35.2%Brown will take up 34.4% White will take up 18.3% If they added Sabonis, he would take up 27.4%That's a tax-paying team off those 4 guys (115.3% of the cap) Where does the depth come from? https://t.co/oEU7ukl8Oo— Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) November 12, 2025 Top-heavy teams seldom win in the modern NBA. You need depth at every position in order to sustain a deep playoff run. Furthermore, Joe Mazzulla would need high-level defenders at every position to mask some of Sabonis’ defensive limitations. Story continues below advertisement In reality, the only feasible way for the Celtics to acquire Sabonis while keeping some form of flexibility would be to offer a package constructed around Brown. However, if the Kings are embracing a rebuild, that package would be redundant unless a third team got involved. So, while Sabonis would undoubtedly fix some of the Celtics’ issues, the cost and impact on roster construction mean it’s unlikely we see Sabonis joining the 2024 NBA champions. Story continues below advertisement