If the Golden State Warriors are interested in trading for Kristaps Porzingis, the deal would split Boston Celtics fans in half. On one side, there would be the subsect of fans who believe that it’s time to move on from Porzingis, and on the other, those who want Boston to bring the big man back on a new contract after next season.
Peter O’Keefe of Blue Man Hoop recently wrote an article detailing how Porzingis could be a perfect fit in Golden State next to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. His three-point shooting and interior defense would elevate them even closer to their championship aspirations.
“Porzingis averages 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks for his career, shooting 46.1% from the floor and 36.6% from 3-point range,” O’Keefe wrote. “The 7'2" center shot a career-high 41.2% from deep this season on six attempts per game, suggesting his fit next to the veteran trio of Curry, Butler and Draymond Green would be ideal should he stay healthy.”
What would a Warriors-Porzingis trade look like?
If the Warriors wanted to keep Curry, Butler, and Green in the trade (which would make the most sense for both sides), they would have to piece together a bunch of other assets to make a deal happen.
A potential trade would have to look something like this, likely with a third team involved to take on a salary that Boston wouldn’t want:
Celtics receive: Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, Quentin Post
Warriors receive: Kristaps Porzingis
Hardwood Houdini previously covered a Warriors-Porzingis trade idea from Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report that saw a package of Moody, Hield, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Gui Santos go back to Boston.
In this new deal, Moody and Hield would remain in the trade, but the Celtics could push the Warriors to include Post after a solid rookie campaign. He would solve some of the Celtics’ big man needs, as with Porzingis gone, they could still struggle to bring back Luke Kornet and Al Horford.
Moody would be a solid young piece for Boston to get a look at, and Hield would likely be nothing more than future trade fodder.
Meanwhile, the Warriors would maintain their core while keeping Brandin Podziemski and the ability to re-sign Jonathan Kuminga. Plus, they would get Porzingis to create a starting lineup of Curry, Podziemski, Butler, Green, and the Latvian big man.
Most importantly (for the Celtics), they would clear $7.7 million in this trade, and if they could find a new home for Hield on a team that could use some shooting (or has cap space or a TPE), they could save even more in their quest to get under the second apron.
Fans who love Porzingis would be a bit upset, but getting Post, a Boston College guy, could ease that pain a bit, considering his cheap contract. The same goes for Moody. And those who are ready for the Porzingis-Celtics era to end would get their wish while also enjoying a solid, youthful return for the big man.