What’s Next for Kristaps Porzingis in Boston?

Kristaps Porzingis’ 2025 postseason couldn’t have gone much worse.

He battled a respiratory illness, looked visibly out of rhythm, and saw his scoring and efficiency plummet. It was a drastic decline from the final month of the regular season when he was playing some of his best basketball in a Celtics uniform.

Now, with ownership looking to shed salary, Porzingis is a prime candidate to be moved this offseason.

He’s on a lucrative expiring contract and doesn’t factor into Boston’s long-term plans. Moving his deal would offer immediate financial relief. 

On the other hand, the Celtics may be more likely to maximize his value if they hold onto him, at least until next season’s trade deadline.

It’s a complex decision with financial, competitive, and roster-building implications.

The Financial Angle

Porzingis is entering the final season of his contract, which will pay him just under $31 million. It’s a steep price, but the silver lining is that it comes off the books next summer. That gives both the Celtics and any potential trade partner the appeal of knowing it’s not a deal that is a long-term burden.

Ordinarily, Boston would try to flip an expiring deal for assets. But recent reporting suggests the Celtics may need to attach draft capital with his contract to move him.

If that’s true, holding onto him and hoping he bolsters his value with a strong start to next season becomes more appealing. By the trade deadline, contenders desperate for frontcourt help might be more willing to take on his expiring salary.

Still, that’s a gamble. Boston is already facing significant penalties for remaining over the luxury tax. Ownership may decide that the financial savings from moving Porzingis now outweigh the potential upside of waiting, even if drastic measures are required to do so.

Health and Reliability

For the “wait-and-see” strategy to pay off, Porzingis has to stay on the court. That’s never been a sure thing.

Injuries have been a defining part of his career, and last season was no different.

Porzingis missed 40 regular-season games and was limited in the playoffs due to illness. While a respiratory infection was a freak incident, his larger availability concerns are well-documented.

Banking on a clean bill of health from Porzingis can be a risky bet, and one that the Celtics may hesitate to make.

When Healthy, He Still Produces

Despite the durability concerns, it’s important to remember Porzingis is a highly effective player when he’s right.

He averaged 1.19 points per possession on post-ups during the regular season, the highest mark in the league among players with at least 50 such plays. He also shot 41.2% from three, which ranked in the 87th percentile among bigs. 

Defensively, he led the Celtics in blocks per game in each of his two seasons in Boston, providing much-needed rim protection on a team light on traditional shot blockers.

If he stays healthy and replicates that production, he could help the Celtics win games and increase his value on the trade market. But if he can’t, Boston risks holding a $31 million contract that limits their ability to retain other key contributors.

Roster Impact

Boston doesn’t face a loaded free agent class, but two names stand out: Luke Kornet and Al Horford.

Horford’s future likely depends on his personal decision, whether he chooses to retire, return, or join another team.

Kornet’s case is more complicated. He’s a tremendous fit with the team, and he’s coming off a postseason run where he played impactful minutes. But he may command a contract the Celtics can’t afford, especially if Porzingis remains on the payroll.

If the front office views Kornet as a long-term rotation piece, they may need to create the financial room to retain him. In that scenario, Porzingis would likely have to be on the move.

What’s Next for Kristaps Porzingis in Boston?

Kristaps Porzingis remains one of the toughest players on the roster to evaluate.

He’s productive when available, but unreliable and expensive. His playoff struggles hurt his value and tested the patience of fans.

Still, as Brad Stevens noted in his end-of-season press conference, “I don’t think anybody was more frustrated than him.” Especially in a contract year, he’ll return next season with something to prove.

Porzingis’ trade market will ultimately dictate his fate. If the Celtics find a deal that brings back value without sacrificing draft capital, a trade seems likely.

But if not, the Celtics will have to weigh two imperfect options: accept the cost now to gain flexibility, or bet on a Porzingis bounce-back and revisit the market later.

Either way, it’s a big decision that will help define a pivotal offseason.