With a historic $231 million payroll, the Boston Celtics are looking to shed salary this offseason, and Kristaps Porziņģis is a clear trade candidate. NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported that the Phoenix Suns have interest in Porziņģis.
“I’ve also heard that Phoenix has done some background work on Kristaps Porziņģis with Boston known to be exploring its trade options up and down the roster.” Fischer recently reported on The Stein Line (subscription required).
For the Suns, it makes sense to look into Porziņģis regardless of his availability concerns, as they have arguably the league’s worst center rotation. However, the trouble is that both the Suns and Celtics are second-apron teams. As a result, neither team can take back more money than they send out in a trade, making a two-team deal between the squads impossible. Of course, the Suns are actively trying to trade Kevin Durant.
Recently, Brian Windhorst reported that the Suns haven’t been excited by the offers of Durant’s three preferred destinations, the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat. Given this, Porziņģis could be involved in a multi-team Durant trade. Let’s dive into this intriguing possibility.
Celtics Could Play a Surprising Role in a Kevin Durant Trade
The Possible Framework of a Porziņģis-Suns Trade
As mentioned earlier, the only path for Phoenix to land Porziņģis is in a multi-team deal, and involving him in a Durant trade might be the easiest way for this possibility to become a reality. Celtics reporter Bobby Manning laid out the possible framework for a KD trade involving Porziņģis.
Looped the #Celtics into a Durant trade. Wasn't easy. pic.twitter.com/4uWOvkxP2A
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 16, 2025
This proposal sees the Celtics save $21 million while landing Cody Martin, Nick Richards, and Vasilije Micić. They would likely save closer to $30 million since Micić has a team option. While the Celtics wouldn’t be getting many quality contributors back, other than Richards, saving money could make this deal enticing.
Along with Porziņģis, the Suns would land Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, and Cam Whitmore. The Rockets would land Durant in this trade. The Nets would take on Dillon Brooks and Sam Hauser without having to give anything up. This trade isn’t perfect; however, the framework is there. Perhaps the Suns would also get some draft capital. The Nets could also possibly be taken out of the deal. Regardless, something along these lines could create a multi-team deal involving the Rockets.
A Similar Trade Could Be Made With the Spurs or Heat
Among Durant’s preferred destinations, the Heat would be more likely than the Spurs to be involved in a similar multi-team deal where KP ends up with the Suns, since Miami lacks the assets to make a Durant offer. A similar framework to Manning’s Rockets proposal would be in place for a Miami trade. The main goal for the Celtics this offseason and in any Porziņģis trade is to get under the second-apron.
The Spurs have more of a straightforward path to Durant, so it’s less likely that Porziņģis would be included. However, if the Spurs are underselling the Suns, Porziņģis may get involved. Perhaps a dark-horse team lands Durant in a multi-team deal where Porziņģis lands in Phoenix. For the Suns, a multi-team Durant trade where they get Porziņģis could end up being the best return. Ultimately, as the Durant trade sweepstakes move forward, it will be interesting to see if Porziņģis and the Celtics get involved.
Featured image: © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
