According to [Marc Stein of The Stein Line](https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-all-the-latest-nba-trade-419), Kristaps Porzingis may be the best trade chip the Boston Celtics have at their disposal this summer. “Most rival teams continue to regard Kristaps Porziņģis as the most movable Boston vet thanks to the Latvian big man's $30.7 million expiring contract. Porziņģis, though, managed to exceed 20 minutes in only one of the Celtics' games in the New York series because of a perplexing energy-sapping illness that has plagued him since March,” Stein wrote.
Though Porzingis’ value as a player may be at its all-time low, his status as an expiring contract next year makes things very interesting.
Teams may be more willing to take a chance on Porzingis since they know that he could be off the books after just one year. But Porzingis being the Celtics' most movable asset may be a problem.
**Why is that a problem?**
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The Celtics are going to have to make moves this summer in order to get below the second-apron. Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are widely viewed as the most likely candidates to be traded.
If Porzingis is the most movable asset they have, and his value is likely at a low-point, considering how poorly he played in the playoffs, that doesn't bode well for the returns Boston could be looking at this summer.
**The goods and bads of Kristaps Porzingis**
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On the one hand, the idea of [getting off salary](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-mock-trade-idea-monster-ditches-jaylen-brown-jrue-holiday-houston-rockets-bill-simmons-disaster-scenario-tank) after just one year could be intriguing to teams who have long-term contracts on their books. They would essentially get a free reset button after one season of Porzingis basketball.
Plus, if Porzingis ends up recovering well from his current illness, which Brad Stevens expects from him this offseason, he could provide quality basketball for a contending team. His post-ups, floor spacing, and rim protection are all very valuable skill sets.
However, Porzingis’ on-court value may be at its lowest right now.
He just wrapped up an ugly postseason run, largely influenced by the illness that first popped up at the end of February. Porzingis struggled in the Orlando Magic series, and he was very rough in the New York Knicks series.
Add on the fact that Porzingis is also a constant risk of getting injured due to his long history of lower-body issues.
**What teams could want Kristaps Porzingis?**
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Any team that trades for Porzingis will have to be willing to take on the risks involved in adding a guy like him.
The Los Angeles Lakers could make some sense. They have some larger salaries on the books, so trading one of their rotation pieces, plus some useless salary, could get them there. Although rehashing the Porzingis-Luka Doncic duo may not be ideal.
Perhaps the New Orleans Pelicans want to put a stretch big next to Zion Williamson in hopes of him being healthy. Taking a chance on an expiring contract would be one way to do that.
Other interesting landing spots include the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, and some teams that would be a pure salary dump destination, like the Brooklyn Nets or Utah Jazz.