The Boston Celtics are continuing efforts to shed salary this offseason, with Kristaps Porzingis still being actively shopped, according to a new report from Jay King of The Athletic.
Even after sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in a cost-cutting trade, the Celtics remain roughly $20 million over the second luxury tax apron and another $20 million above the standard tax line. King reported that league sources believe more moves are likely, with Porzingis one of the names being circulated in trade talks.
Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million cap hit. His expiring deal gives Boston a flexible asset, especially for teams looking to clear space in 2026.
The 7-foot-3 center struggled in the postseason, averaging 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds over 11 games while shooting just 31.6 percent from the field. He logged more than 20 minutes in only one of Boston’s second-round contests against the New York Knicks, as illness continued to limit his conditioning.
After undergoing retinaculum surgery in June 2024, Porzingis’ durability remains a concern for teams evaluating his trade value. He played just 42 regular season games during the 2024–25 campaign.
Despite those setbacks, the Latvian big man still managed 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on 48.3 percent shooting when healthy. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim could attract interest from playoff-caliber teams looking for a short-term boost without long-term salary commitments.
The Celtics, who finished 61–21 and earned the No. 2 seed in the East, were eliminated in six games by New York. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss significant time next season due to Achilles injury, Boston’s front office is weighing short-term competitiveness against long-term payroll flexibility.
