Giannis trade could be perfect solution to Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis problem

If the Boston Celtics got involved with a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, it could help solve their Kristaps Porzingis problem.
ByJack Simone|
Boston Celtics, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kristaps Porzingis, NBA Trade Rumors, Milwaukee Bucks
Boston Celtics, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kristaps Porzingis, NBA Trade Rumors, Milwaukee Bucks | Stacy Revere/GettyImages

If the Boston Celtics could get into a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade as a third team, it could solve their Kristaps Porzingis problem. Since Porzingis is an expiring salary, the Bucks may be more apt to take on his money in a deal than a long-term salary, giving Boston a perfect way to help facilitate a trade and fix their immediate cap problems.

Boston isn’t getting Antetokounmpo. But Milwaukee could be intrigued by the idea of an expiring salary rather than a large contract that will be on the books for multiple seasons. Add in the fact that they could try to move Porzingis at the deadline, and this could be an interesting idea for everyone involved.

But how exactly would it work?

The Spurs are a perfect example

Let’s say the San Antonio Spurs want to take a swing on Antetokounmpo to pair him with Victor Wembanyama. Maybe they would trade the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, or maybe they’d try to hold onto it. Regardless, the Celtics could get involved.

The outgoing salary would have to be something like Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Stephon Castle (if the Bucks demand he’s in the trade). But what if Milwaukee doesn’t want to take on two years of Johnson’s salary?

Well, enter the Celtics.

Milwaukee could reroute Johnson to Boston and take on Porzingis’ contract instead. He makes around $13 million more, but his deal is up at the end of next season, giving the Bucks a trade-deadline piece to shop around and a clearer cap book by next summer.

All the while, the Celtics would shed $13 million in cap space for next season, which would help them get closer to being under the second apron.

What other situations could work like this?

Here are a few more hypothetical examples of how this could work:

Memphis Grizzlies: Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, GG Jackson, and a ton of draft picks could be the package, but what if the Bucks don’t want the extra year of Clarke’s salary on the books? Again, enter Porzingis. Milwaukee could reroute Clarke and an extra minimum salary that they don’t like, and the Celtics would clear some immediate space.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Let’s say the Thunder don’t win the title this year. What if they shipped out one of their supporting stars OR a lot of their depth with a hoard of picks for Antetokounmpo? Maybe the Celtics take back Kenrich Williams’ multi-year money, and the Bucks get Porzingis’ expiring contract.

Atlanta Hawks: If the Hawks want to take a chance on a Trae Young-Antetokounmpo pairing, they could send out a combination of Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Okyeka Okongwu, Terance Mann, and draft capital to make a deal work. But taking on Porzingis’ contract instead of Mann’s would be smart for the Bucks, and Boston could sacrifice some long-term cap for immediate relief by giving them Porzingis in a swap.

Is this worth it for the Celtics?

Maybe. It depends on the situation.

In the case of the Spurs, Grizzlies, and Thunder deals, this would be a relative no-brainer. Sure, it’s brutal to give up Porzingis for little to no value, but the money they would save would make it worth it. They need to get under the second apron.

However, if they are taking on a contract like Mann’s, which extends into the 2027-28 season at $15.5 million, $15.5 million, and then $16 million, the Celtics may be better off finding a different deal.

The point is, an Antetokounmpo trade could be a potential golden pathway for Boston to fix their financial problems by utilizing Porzingis’ contract.