The Boston Celtics are in dire need of a roster shakeup this summer. They should look to shed salary heading into what is now being viewed by many as a gap year after Jayson Tatum's unfortunate Achilles injury.
Mass Live's Brian Rob recently proposed a trade between the Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers that helps address that issue for Boston, giving Portland a low-risk flier on a former All-Star in Kristaps Porzingis.
Here is the deal in full:
Boston gets much-needed flexibility (plus a Robert Williams reunion)
As for why both parties could agree to this mock trade, Rob wrote:
"Blazers look ready to be a more competitive team next year and they do have a logjam in the frontcourt. Bringing in Porzingis here would allow for a potential offensive upgrade if they are looking to play with more double bigs. Thybulle is coming off an injury and Williams would be a feel good return story for Boston amid a season of change."
Boston gets off Porzingis' $30.7 million salary, turning it into two more manageable contracts in Robert Williams III ($13.3 million) and Matisse Thybulle ($11.6 million player option). They add two All-Defense pieces that could be valuable depth, with Thybulle seeing increased minutes in Tatum's extended absence.
Or, Boston could even decide to flip these players, depending on how Brad Stevens plans to extend a championship window closing faster than Celtics fans care to admit.
Kristaps Porzingis is a low-risk gamble the Blazers should consider
Portland currently has a crowded frontcourt, but it would still be wise to consider adding another big man. Ideally, someone who can space the floor to effectively play alongside Donovan Clingan while also being able to slide up to the five to spell Clingan for stretches.
That kind of floor spacing and versatility takes a special type of talent; the available big men who fit the bill include players such as Porzingis, Karl-Anthony Towns, or even Domantas Sabonis, who has quietly become a reliable three-point shooter over the past three seasons.
Of these options, Porzingis is the lowest-risk path in terms of assets surrendered. The Blazers could land him without sacrificing draft capital, given Boston's situation and Porzingis' postseason disappearance.
Clearly, he wasn't the same player in the playoffs due to a strange illness, averaging just 4.2 points in 15.5 minutes per game during their disappointing Conference Semifinals loss to the Knicks. That presents a golden buy-low opportunity for the Blazers.
If Porzingis doesn't pan out next season, they can let him walk in free agency -- no harm, no foul. Williams isn't exactly a reliable asset either, given his injury history, and neither he nor Thybulle fits Portland's rebuilding timeline, making it easier to move on from both.
Portland has plenty of depth but lacks the star power in its starting lineup to make the playoffs in the West. They need to consolidate some of their pieces, and making a deal like this for Porzingis is precisely the kind of move they should be pursuing.