_The Celtics are suddenly on the rise in the East playoff picture, but questions about the roster remain front and center amid an 8-7 start. What names are realistic for now and the future for Boston? Let’s take a look at a few possibilities in this week’s mailbag._
**Could you see the Celtics being interested in Sabonis? Kings looking to move off him and other big salaries to rebuild/tank — Alex Z**
Find the next big man for the Celtics return to contending is probably on the top of the to-do list for Brad Stevens and Boston’s front office in the next year. The team has some promising returns in-house (Neemias Queta) but there will rightfully be calls to find some more talent to pair with him.
Sabonis, 29, may be one of the best options out there on the trade market but it’s hard to see how he fits into Boston’s plans from a financial standpoint, barring some big changes. He makes $42.3 million this year and that salary rises to $45.4 million next year and $48.6 million in the final year of his contract. That’s not a salary the Celtics can afford to take on without saying goodbye to Derrick White or Jaylen Brown in a deal elsewhere.
The Celtics don’t have the money to match salaries for Sabonis in a trade without using one of those guys and it’s hard to fathom a scenario where the Celtics consider Sabonis an upgrade over either. The 6-foot-10 center is a terrific rebounder and passer but he’s not a playoff proven performer like those two. His defensive limitations (strength/switching) are also a concern for a guy making that kind of money.
There’s no guarantee that Brown or White will be on the next iteration of the Celtics as contenders but if they aren’t, the expectation would be the Celtics brass would set their sights on someone more versatile than Sabonis to replace them. Otherwise, don’t really see using him to replace one of those guys make Boston better positioned to contend once Tatum comes back.
**Given the Cs should be a playoff team. Do you think they add at the deadline? They need a big and overall depth — Marc C**
Not expecting them to use these assets to improve this team for the present this trade deadline. If something comes along that makes sense for the future as much as now, that could be in the cards. However, given the financial situation this team finds itself in and Tatum’s health, trimming the tax bill is the far bigger likelihood in my mind than adding anything to this group.
With that said, the Celtics do have some movable salary in Anfernee Simons and potentially Sam Hauser. Moving one of those guys for a big that will be around beyond this season could certainly be a consideration. Overall depth is less of a concern I’d say given how well the inexperienced wings have looked so far this year. Once Tatum comes back, they suddenly look like they could have solid depth at that position all the way down the bench. Finding shooting will be a priority though in the offseason if Simons or Hauser end up being moved.
**Please rate the odds of 2026-27 return for Porzingis (UFA), Rob Williams (UFA), Horford (player option, but never wanted to leave). Thanks, ASB**
I’d put Porzingis at zero percent. He’s going to be looking for something beyond mid-level money and the Celtics aren’t going to be looking to rely on him and his health as he enters his 30s in my mind.
Horford, I’d put at five percent. He’s got a player option for next year at the taxpayer mid-level exception so he’s not walking away from that barring a disaster in Golden State. Maybe a first round exit and Tatum looking impressive in his return to the court this year could cause a change of heart? Short of that, hard to see it happening.
Rob Williams gets us up to the 15 percent mark, just because he could possibly be available for the veteran’s minimum if his health issues keep cropping up this season. The Celtics would certainly roll the dice on him at that price and could offer him an opportunity to rebuild value here. However, Williams will certainly be looking for more money and years if he can, given his health history. Time will tell whether that’s available to him.
**Are there any bigs that you’ve been targeting for trade candidates? Specifically, ones that could accomplish reducing payroll via Simons’ contract? Zubac was one but wasn’t sure of other potential options — RLS**
I’ll do a bigger breakdown in the months ahead as trade season begins on December 15. Zubac is probably going to be the best of the bunch for sure in that category upon a first glimpse, but it’s difficult to foresee him being available this year when the Clippers have no reason to tank.
The Celtics may end up simply prioritizing trimming money from the payroll this year while also adding a medium sized long-term deal to their books in the same deal in order to open up more offseason trade flexibility. If not, they will be very limited by what they can move in a trade once the Simons deal expires, unless they are dealing away a top-tier player like Derrick White or Jaylen Brown.
**What’s been the biggest surprise this year for you?**
**\- Jordan Walsh +/- numbers**
**\- Jaylen lack of dunks**
**\- Hauser missed a FT — Joel**
Definitely the Jordan Walsh plus/minus numbers. This was a guy that didn’t look like a lock to make the roster after taking part in Summer League for the third straight year. From being buried in the rotation to showing that type of defensive impact within the first month of the year was a stunner and a very welcome sight for the Celtics front office.
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