To save money, one NBA analyst is proposing that the Boston Celtics trade Kristaps Porzingis to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason in a three-team deal involving the Dallas Mavericks.
The Celtics will have the most expensive roster in the NBA next season. To help the franchise save salary, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed that Boston trade Porzingis, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Neemias Queta to Brooklyn and Jrue Holiday to Dallas.
"The Mavericks and Celtics improve in the short term; the Nets invest further in a rebuild. The three-team trade could be a win-win-win solution," Pincus wrote.
Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the 2024-25 regular season and 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists in the 2025 playoffs for the Celtics.
The All-Star big man dealt with an unknown illness in the playoffs and had trouble breathing.
Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8).
© Eric Canha-Imagn Images
After winning the title last season against Dallas, Boston lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of this year’s playoffs in six games.
Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Knicks series. He could miss all of next season.
The 29-year-old Porzingis has career averages of 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the Knicks, Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Celtics. He’ll make $30.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.
The Nets went 26-56 this season. They have the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft.
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Nets could be willing to use their open cap space as a vehicle to execute multi-team trade scenarios this offseason.