ESPN suggests 2 Boston Celtics trades to clear salary cap space
With the 2025 NBA Finals officially over, the league quickly moves onto the upcoming NBA Draft, which starts Wednesday. That means teams will be active, though there have already been blockbuster deals in the Desmond Bane and Kevin Durant trades.
The Celtics are expected to be busy as they need to shed salary cap space this summer, putting them in a state of uncertainty. The C's not only are looking to cut costs, but they also know Jayson Tatum will miss likely all of next season due to his ruptured Achilles tendon. But what moves the Boston front office makes is the big question as the organization can go a few different directions.
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ESPN recently suggested a pair of trades the Celtics could make that would cut costs while looking at the future. NBA insider Bobby Marks first bounced around the idea of a salary dump of Kristaps Porzingis and the No. 28 overall pick to the Nets, but he said that's unlikely since it doesn't help the Celtics in the long-term.
So, instead, here are the other two trades ESPN suggested:
Trade No. 1:
Boston Celtics get: Forward P.J. Washington Jr.
Dallas Mavericks get: Guard Jrue Holiday
Brooklyn Nets get: Guard Jaden Hardy, forward Caleb Martin, 2027 first-round pick (via Celtics)
LA Clippers get: Forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper
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Trade No. 2:
Boston Celtics get: Center Duop Reath
Portland Trail Blazers get: Forward Sam Hauser, center Xavier Tillman, 2031 second-round pick
As Marks notes, the two trades saves the Celtics a significant amount of money in more than $300 million between luxury tax and salary savings. They also get a pair of rotation pieces in Washington and Reath. The Celtics are facing big man uncertainty with their two free agents in Al Horford and Luke Kornet. So, landing Reath would land them at least a backup big. Washington is also another wing who will be cheaper than Holiday going forward.
Now, to point out, the Celtics do need to part with a 2027 first-round pick in the Holiday deal. The front office could shy away from doing that considering it has reportedly been asking for a first-round pick in Holiday negotations. So while Washington has value, the C's in turn have to send out Holiday and a future first in the deal.
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ESPN also suggested a third option and trade in dealing Porzingis, though Marks didn't go that route. So that's where the front office has options when it comes to the roster. Expect the Celtics to be busy in the coming days and weeks between the draft and free agency opening up for the NBA.
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