If the Boston Celtics are going to duck under the second luxury tax apron this summer, Brad Stevens may need to get creative. Trading Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis or Sam Hauser for fair value won’t be an easy task.
In a recent episode of the “Zach Lowe Show” podcast, the NBA analyst floated an idea that could potentially make sense for Boston. Lowe envisioned Boston operating as a third team in a Kevin Durant trade, helping them move Holiday while getting a fair return in the process.
“The focus for me is on Jrue Holiday,” Lowe said. “I’ve heard that there have been at least very broad discussions of three-team, Durant-related trades where Jrue Holiday is (included). I think these could be conjured by Phoenix in hopes of getting a deal done, more-or-less, where Jrue Holiday moves somewhere. Just like he was the shrapnel in the (Damian Lillard) trade and ended up in Boston.”
For any fans hoping that Durant would be heading to Boston, the second apron penalties would make it difficult. The Celtics can’t send out less salary than what’s coming back, and they can’t piece together salaries to match the money. It would have to be a one-in and one-out scenario. Therefore, the Celtics would be working as a facilitator in this thought exercise.
Lowe Cleared Up His Thoughts on X
As you would expect, Lowe’s comments gained traction across social media. Celtics fans began dreaming of pairing Durant with Jaylen Brown, and when he returns from injury, Jayson Tatum.
However, Lowe clarified his comments in a post on X on June 20.
“One clarification here (because) we rushed at end — when I mentioned the very broad idea of 3-team trades involving Jrue Holiday + KD, I meant to indicate KD would go to the third team in those deals (i.e. maybe a team on his list) — and NOT to Boston,” Lowe wrote on social media. “The Celtics are NOT looking to trade for KD. I don’t think such a 3-team trade is really in the ether anyway. Thought this would be obvious but should have stated more clearly.”
However, the Celtics could get better value by moving Holiday as part of a three-team scenario, especially if they’re facilitating a blockbuster move.
Celtics Could Also Lose Luke Kornet
Outside of trying to trade their way below the second apron, the Celtics could also let some talent walk in free agency. Both Al Horford and Luke Kornet will be unrestricted free agents this summer.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Kornet is expected to have a “robust” free agency market. As such, he could be a casualty of the Celtics’ current cap situation.
“Kornet ranks as one of the best players analytically entering free agency,” Scotto reported on June 16. “…After thoroughly outplaying his current contract, Kornet is expected to earn a substantial pay raise and have a robust market this summer among various teams who have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to spend.”
Kornet has been one of the Celtics’ most important bench players. Replacing his production will be difficult. Boston could still try to keep Kornet on a new deal. However, they will be battling teams with more flexibility, which could make life tough.
The Celtics are in for a busy summer. The roster isn’t going to look the same by the start of next season. Whether Holiday, Poriznigs or Hauser are still with the team will remain to be seen. Nevertheless, Celtics fans are facing a reality where they may not like some of the trades that get made.
