{"id":145041,"date":"2025-06-16T14:48:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T18:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=145041"},"modified":"2025-06-16T14:48:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T18:48:58","slug":"kristaps-porzingis-suns-kevin-durant-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/16\/kristaps-porzingis-suns-kevin-durant-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Could Play a Surprising Role in a Kevin Durant Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a historic $231 million payroll<\/a>, the Boston Celtics are looking to shed salary this offseason, and Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a> is a clear trade candidate<\/a>. NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported that the Phoenix Suns have interest in Porzi\u0146\u0123is.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve also heard that Phoenix has done some background work on Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is with Boston known to be exploring its trade options up and down the roster.” Fischer recently reported<\/a> on The Stein Line (subscription required).<\/p>\n

For the Suns, it makes sense to look into Porzi\u0146\u0123is 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<\/a> Kevin Durant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Recently, Brian Windhorst reported<\/a> 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, Porzi\u0146\u0123is could be involved in a multi-team Durant trade. Let’s dive into this intriguing possibility.<\/p>\n

Celtics Could Play a Surprising Role in a Kevin Durant Trade<\/h2>\n
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Mar 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Possible Framework of a Porzi\u0146\u0123is-Suns Trade<\/h3>\n

As mentioned earlier, the only path for Phoenix to land Porzi\u0146\u0123is 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 Porzi\u0146\u0123is.<\/p>\n

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Looped the #Celtics<\/a> into a Durant trade. Wasn't easy. pic.twitter.com\/4uWOvkxP2A<\/a><\/p>\n

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n