This potential Kristaps Porzingis trade would send him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal with the Detroit Pistons that would help the Boston Celtics clear $20 million off the books. If Boston's primary goal this summer is to dip below the second apron, which it should be, this trade makes a ton of sense.
The Celtics would get back forward Simone Fontecchio in the trade, who has one year remaining on his contract for a little over $8.3 million. Meanwhile, the Lakers would get Porzingis, and the Pistons would take back Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber, adding some extra depth to their roster.
All three teams get a positive out of the deal.
Celtics receive: Simone Fontecchio
Lakers receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Second-round pick (via BOS)
Pistons receive: Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber
Why would the Celtics make this trade?
This isn't a fun trade to have to make, but it's a product of the unfortunate situation the Celtics have found themselves in. They have been a second-apron team for each of the past two seasons, and if they hit that mark for three years in any given five-year span, the CBA rains down with a bunch of drastic restrictions that they don't want to have to deal with.
As a result, the Celtics will have to shed at least $20 million in cap this summer, and in reality, the number is much higher than that, because that doesnt' factor in the cost of them having to re-sign the likes of Al Horford and Luke Kornet, nor does it account for any other signings they may make this offseason.
This three-team deal for Fontecchio would do wonders for their cap situation, as they would rid themselves of a ton of money, and Fontecchio's contract is expiring, anyway. Losing Porzingis in a pure salary-dump is brutal, but that's the nature of the business.
Cutting this much salary in a single trade would be an unbelievable win for Boston.
Why would the Lakers make this trade?
The Lakers don't have a center. They will undoubtedly look to sign one in free agency, or perhaps trade for someone more reliable, but since Porzingis is on an expiring deal, this would be a realtively low-risk move.
Losing Hachimura would be a tough blow, as he was a legitimate rotation piece for the Lakers this past year, but he's also on an expiring contract. Swapping one two expirings for one at a position that they need could be worth it.
Porzingis comes with clear risks, the biggest being his illness and injury concerns, but if he pans out, LA would be in a great spot. (The only other question would be if he and Luka Doncic could work together again.)
Why would the Pistons make this trade?
This part is easy - because Hachimura is a clear-cut upgrade over Fontecchio. If the Pistons can't find any other great use of their cap space this summer, this would be a great way to add talent and kick said cap space down the road one year.
Since Hachimura is on an expiring deal, Detroit would get a great rotational upgrade for the time being, but still have the cap flexibility they likely want to maintain heading into next year (especially if they don't find any free agents this summer that interest them).
