The Boston Celtics need to dump Kristaps Porzingis’ salary this summer, but the only team with cap space is the Brooklyn Nets, so that could make life very hard for Brad Stevens. Not only do the Nets have no real need for Porzingis, but since they are the only team that could easily take on the contract, they could ask for extra assets because of the supply and demand of it all.
Since there aren’t many other teams that could help the Celtics in a deal, the Nets will know that Boston needs them. Because of that, the Celtics could be forced to pay more than they want to in order to get out of his contract.
It’s a nightmare situation, but one that needs to be resolved.
Why do the Celtics need to dump Kristaps Porzingis’ salary?
Technically, they don’t. But the Celtics need to dump some salary this summer, and based on the way Porzingis played in the postseason and his history of injury concerns, he makes the most sense as a candidate to be moved.
The Celtics have been a second-apron team for two years in a row, and in order to avoid all of the CBA penalties that come with hitting that mark for a third season, they need to clear roughly $20 million. And that’s without factoring in them re-signing Luke Kornet, Al Horford, or any rookies they want to bring on board.
They will be forced to trade a big contract this summer, and Porzingis makes the most sense.
Unfortunately, for all of those same reasons, Porzingis doesn’t have much real value right now. Unless a team is desperate, has contracts they want to dump anyway, and believes in Porzingis’ ability to get healthy, the Celtics will have to dump him somewhere. And the Nets are the prime candidate.
Can anyone but the Nets help?
The Nets are projected to have over $55 million in cap space this summer, which would be more than enough to take on Porzingis’ money. But what if they want to use that on free agents? What if they have other trades they want to make? It’s not as simple as a straight-up deal.
As for potential other teams who could help out the Celtics, there aren’t many. The Detroit Pistons are projected to have the second-most money available at almost $25 million, but considering they are looking to be competitive, taking on Porzingis’ money doesn’t make much sense. They would want a sure thing, not a ‘take-a-chance’ player.
The Memphis Grizzlies will have over $17 million, the Chicago Bulls will have over $14 million, and the New Orleans Pelicans will have over $12 million. After that, only three more teams have positive cap space, and they will all have less than $10 million. None of those teams could easily take on Porzingis’ contract without giving up assets.
Boston is in quite the pickle this summer, and Stevens will have to get creative.