The Boston Celtics shockingly traded Marcus Smart to get Kristaps Porzingis this offseason. Brad Stevens made it clear that they needed to shake things up, and KP is coming off arguably the best year of his career. Can Porzingis finally make a deep playoff run in his first campaign in Boston?
Injuries have been a problem throughout the Unicorn’s first seven NBA seasons, and he is currently dealing with a foot injury that will force him to miss the World Cup. The 7’3 big man is expected to be ready for training camp, but this could be a bad first sign.
What if things do not work out? Porzingis helped the Mavericks make the playoffs twice, but they advanced to the conference finals just months after trading him to the Wizards. KP’s unique skill can help and hinder. If Boston is ready to move before February’s trade deadline, there will be plenty of available talent.
Players Boston Celtics might replace Kristaps Porzingis with by the trade deadline
7. Spencer Dinwiddie
The Nets are facing an uncertain season after going from three superstars to none in one year. Brooklyn held onto make the playoffs, and Mikal Bridges looks like a star, but are the Nets a playoff team? Things could go sideways quickly, despite their talent and wing depth.
This would be wild as the Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis for Spencer Dinwiddie back in 2022, and it propelled Dallas to the conference finals. Could the Celtics repeat the feat?
Boston needs another playmaker after Marcus Smart’s departure, especially if Malcolm Brogdon struggles with injuries. Derrick White is the starting point guard, but it will be just Payton Pritchard backing him up if Brogdon misses time. The Celtics may be in search of a starting point guard at the deadline, and Dinwiddie is a proven option who figures to be available.
The Boston Celtics want a star, but they may have to settle for Spencer Dinwiddie.
6. Bojan Bogdanovic
Bogdanovic will be one of the hottest names on the trade block this February unless the Pitons take a massive step forward. The 34-year-old wing does not fit their timeline but is coming off arguably the best season of his career where he averaged 21.6 points 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Bogey is a career 39.4 percent 3-point shooter with the versatility to defend multiple positions.
The Celtics have the best wing duo in the NBA, but Bogdanovic has played primarily power forward in each of the last three seasons. He would let Boston go small and improve their floor spacing in any lineup. Bogey can create shots, handle the ball, and improve his team’s ability to switch. Those are all key aspects in the playoffs as Boston looks to break through and win their 18th championship.
He is set to make $20 million this season and has $2 million guaranteed for the 2024-25 campaign. The Celtics could swap Kristaps Porzingis or Malcolm Brogdon for the veteran forward. It provides an instant upgrade and future flexibility. Boston is just under the second tax apron this year, but Jaylen Brown’s extension will force the Celtics to get creative moving forward.
Bojan Bogdanovic has never been an All-Star, but the 6’7 wing could be one of the biggest difference-makers traded at the 2024 deadline. Expect the Boston Celtics to be interested.
5. Chris Paul
Paul has already been traded twice this offseason, but he could move again before the deadline. The 38-year-old future Hall of Famer was sent from Phoenix to Washington D.C. in the Bradley Beal trade, but the rebuilding Wizards quickly flipped him to Golden State for Jordan Poole. CP3 has never been a backup in his career, and there is no guarantee he fits in the Warriors system.
This could be a disgruntled player swap at the deadline. Kristaps Porzingis may struggle to stay healthy and fit in with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but he would give the Dubs a stretch five and rim protector for the playoffs. Boston may be light on ball-handling after trading Marcus Smart and eager to add a point guard.
Chris Paul and Kristaps Porzingis are both injury risks, so this would be strictly a playstyle and personnel move. Golden State could be looking for a big man, especially if Dario Saric struggles. The Celtics do not have a true point guard and could be eager to acquire one to raise their ceiling.
Consider this trade unlikely, but possible if things go poorly for both sides before February’s deadline. The Boston Celtics will be searching for star power, but Chris Paul may be the biggest name moved.
4. Karl-Anthony Towns
The Timberwolves are reaching a crossroads as Anthony Edwards becomes a superstar. Can they be serious title contenders with a Towns and Rudy Gobert frontcourt?
KAT’s injury limited him to 29 regular season games last season and did not give Minnesota a large enough sample to find out. Most teams are going away from dual big-man lineups. Can the Timberwolves buck the trend or is it time to split up Towns and Gobert?
KAT is more likely to be traded after Minnesota paid a massive price for Gobert in the summer of 2022. The Wolves cannot get anything close to what they gave up, and president Tim Connelly has no reason to take a loss. Towns is just starting a five-year $158.2 million extension, and the three-time All-Star’s unique skill set figures to draw plenty of interest.
KAT is an elite offensive weapon. The 6’11 big man can fly around screens and nail open shots, but his defense has declined nearly every year.
Can the Celtics build a contender with Karl-Anthony Towns at the five? His rim-protection and defending in space would have to improve. Boston would have an elite offense, and KAT would fit nicely into Joe Mazzulla’s game plan, but relying heavily on winning shootouts could undo the C’s in the playoffs.
Boston would be over the second tax apron and spending well into the luxury tax as Tatum and Brown’s new contacts kick in. Consider this move unlikely, but a true all-in push.
3. Donovan Mitchell
The Cavaliers are at a crossroads, and their early play could determine their future. Cleveland had the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference last season but was bounced in the first round of the playoffs. It left them wondering if playing two big men and two small guards could work.
Jarrett Allen appeared in trade rumors this summer, but it could be a matter of if not when Mitchell is dealt.
The four-time All-Star has two years plus a player option remaining on his contract. He will likely become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, but the Cavaliers cannot wait that long. They will offer extensions, but Mitchell is not expected to accept. If he vehemently declines, Cleveland could look to trade him before February’s deadline.
A star guard who is an elite scorer, ball-handler, floor spacer, and playmaker could be just what the Boston Celtics are searching for at the deadline. Mitchell is just entering his prime and coming off arguably the best year of his career. Boston could be getting his best years, and they would be instant title contenders with a Big 3.
Are they willing to go all-in on acquiring Donovan Mitchell? The 6’1 guard produced some epic playoff performances but has never advanced beyond the first round. Can he change the narrative in Boston with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown? The Celtics would have to believe it because of the significant financial ramifications to acquiring the four-time All-Star.
2. Pascal Siakam
Siakam is entering the final year of his contract, and the Raptors have a decision to make. Do they extend the 29-year-old forward on a monster contract or trade him before the deadline? Toronto has missed the playoffs in two of the last three years and lost Fred VanVleet in free agency this summer. They are not contenders, but do the Raptors fully rebuild?
Siakam wants to stay in Toronto, which could further complicate any trade. The Raptors will get significantly less for a rental than a two-time All-Star willing to sign a long-term deal. The 6’9 forward figures to have some say in where he lands.
Boston has nearly the perfect matching salary in Kristaps Porzingis and could create an elite small ball lineup with the two-time All-Star at the five. Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon could play in the backcourt with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum at the forward spots. It would allow Boston to switch everything and be a nightmare matchup in the playoffs.
Pascal Siakam may not make it to the deadline. The Hawks have already made an offer and are eager to upgrade their roster around Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. If the Raptors do not find a workable deal, the Boston Celtics may come calling closer to the deadline if things with Kristaps Porzingis are not going as planned.
1. Damian Lillard
Lillard has requested a trade, but the Miami Heat are the only destination on his list right now. Portland has been unwilling to accept Miami’s offers, which puts the pressure on Dame. The 6’2 guard is under contract until 2026. If no deal is done, the options are holdout, return to the team, or find an acceptable trade elsewhere.
This could play out like the Kevin Durant trade request from the summer of 2022. The Nets could not find the right package, so KD reported to training camp before being sent to Phoenix at the deadline. Brooklyn got the monster return they wanted, and Durant found a new home.
What if the Blazers are unwilling to accept even the Heats’ best offer? At some point, the sweepstakes will get opened to other teams, and Boston could be waiting.
Damian Lillard is a superstar. He would instantly solve the Celtics’ ball-handling and shot-creation questions and would give them a Big 3. They have the assets to offer a significant package without involving their two best players.
The Boston Celtics would be over the second tax apron, but that is the price of having three stars in the NBA. Does Boston make a massive splash if Kristaps Porzingis does not fit in by the trade deadline? Stay tuned to find out.
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