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Why Celtics should try to hold on to Kristaps Porzingis originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Has Kristaps Porzingis played his final game as a Boston Celtic?

The Celtics must shed roughly $20 million in salary this offseason to get under the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax. That means they will have to part ways with at least one rotational player, and Porzingis is a prime candidate to be moved.

Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit. If the C’s prefer to maintain their core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, that might make Porzingis the odd man out.

What would the Celtics get in return for the do-it-all 7-footer? MassLive.com’s Brian Robb laid out a scenario in which Boston would send Porzingis to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for old friend Robert Williams and Matisse Thybulle. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor shared their takes on that hypothetical deal during NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’Season special.

“If Porzingis can play, if he’s shaken whatever this illness was, he brings a lot more value than Robert Williams,” Mannix said. “You want a guy that — on a lesser contract — that has shown he can play with Jayson Tatum, has shown he can fit in alongside Jaylen Brown. If you can keep him around on a better deal, that’s probably better long-term for the Celtics.”

While Porzingis has been key to the Celtics’ success, he has struggled to stay healthy. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He was limited throughout Boston’s 2025 postseason run due to a nagging illness.

Despite those health concerns, O’Connor believes the Celtics should do everything in their power to avoid trading Porzingis, especially if the Williams/Thybulle return is the best they can get.

“You’ve got to see how he looks with Latvia (in the EuroBasket 2025 tournament), and possibly you take him into the season, because he’s still a major X-factor,” O’Connor said. “Still has shown what he can do to this offense, the layers he brings to this team that loves to shoot 3s. His post-up, his ability with his size, and obviously his defense as well.

“Porzingis is a guy I’d prefer to keep, considering his value is so low right now. And if you’re only getting back Time Lord (Robert Wllliams), who, I love him, but injury-prone, hasn’t shown a lot, and Thybulle, who cannot shoot at all and hasn’t for multiple teams, that’s not a great return for Kristaps Porzingis.”

With Porzingis likely on the trade block, plus Al Horford and Luke Kornet set to hit free agency, the Celtics’ frontcourt could be overhauled this summer. It’ll be an eventful offseason for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens as he navigates the team’s challenging financial situation.

Watch the full episode of The Off C’Season in the video below:

Why Draymond disagrees with LeBron's playoffs scheduling idea originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors icon Draymond Green doesn’t agree with his friend and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James’ recent proposal for the NBA to give teams a month off before the playoffs to address fatigue-related injuries.

Green explained why James’ proposition might be counterproductive on Tuesday’s episode of the “Draymond Green Show” podcast.

“I know Bron talked about there being a month off before the playoffs; I don’t know that that’s possible,” Green said. “A, guys will get a bit out of shape and can have an adverse effect, guys getting back in, and all of a sudden, you pull something because it’s been a month. 

“So I don’t know if a month is the right answer, but two weeks – ain’t no NBA player getting out of shape in two weeks, but you can get a lot healthier in two weeks.”

Green believes a month off might be too much rest for players. Though, as he mentioned, some rest might be desirable.

The four-time NBA champion cited hamstring injuries to superstar Golden State teammate Steph Curry and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon as proof that moderate recovery time can be helpful, as the pair of players didn’t have enough time to return to near 100 percent amid their respective teams’ eventual eliminations.

Green explained how the current postseason format generally has teams playing every other day, which doesn’t leave much time for rest between travel, rehab and schematics. 

“You look at Steph Curry pulling a hamstring … Aaron Gordon saying there should be two days in between games – I agree,” Green said. “Here’s the thing: if you end up with a series like [against] Houston, and there’s a day in between games, that’s a four-hour flight from San Francisco to Houston on a day in between games, your rest day. 

“By the time you land in Houston, it’s eight o’clock at night … By the time you make it to the hotel, it’s dark. … everything’s quick, you’re trying to get ready for bed. So the recovery process ain’t great.”

James’ proposition probably isn’t the answer. But Green – and probably all of Dub Nation – would like to see an NBA playoffs where rest allows the best players to stay on the floor.

“Is it about bunching in games, or is it about the best team winning and putting your best product out there on the floor for the fans? And I think that’s where you run into the issue,” Green said.

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Mannix: Spurs the ‘team to watch the closest' for Jaylen Brown originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Not even Jaylen Brown is safe from trade talks this offseason as the Boston Celtics look to shed significant salary.

Just about everyone from the 2024 championship core is on the table with the C’s aiming to avoid the restrictive penalties associated with being in the second apron of the luxury tax. They will have to move at least one rotational player, but another option is to wipe the slate clean with a full reboot.

Brown, a four-time All-Star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP, has massive value if Boston opts to dangle him in trade discussions. Although sending Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a popular talking point, one up-and-coming Western Conference team seems like a more realistic trade partner.

“The team I’d watch the closest with Jaylen Brown is probably the Spurs,” Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated said Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season special. “Sure, I think (the Spurs would) love to make a run at Giannis, but do the Bucks ask for Stephon Castle? Like, is that on their wish list? And if it is, I can’t see San Antonio doing a deal like that.

“One of the concerns people in San Antonio told me about is, you go and deal for a guy like Giannis, all of a sudden you’ve created a championship window, but it is a window with a closing date. You’ve got De’Aaron Fox, who’s in his late 20s, Giannis in his early 30s, and the last thing they want is to have a roster after those guys kind of age out where when (Victor) Wembanyama is maybe looking around going, ‘All right, where are the young guys I’m going to play with after that?’

“It certainly is a problem for another day, but that’s on the mind of the San Antonio Spurs. That’s why they want to hold on to Stephon Castle, so he can be that second guy opposite Wembanyama for a long time, assuming they trade that No. 2 pick.”

As Mannix puts it, the Celtics would be a more attractive trade partner for the Spurs because they likely wouldn’t require a player like Castle in return. Instead, the deal would center around the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft — likely Rutgers standout guard Dylan Harper.

“I think if you’re Boston, you’re not going to ask for a Stephon Castle. You’re not going to get a Stephon Castle in a potential Jaylen Brown deal,” Mannix added. “You would get the No. 2 pick back in return. You would get the Devin Vassells, the Keldon Johnsons, future first-round capital. That’s something I’d watch if and when the Giannis Antetokounmpo stuff shakes itself out over the next few weeks.”

Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O’Connor asked Mannix whether the Spurs would put the No. 2 pick on the table for Brown in a potential swap.

“Oh, absolutely. I don’t think Boston does that deal without the number two pick,” Mannix answered. “I think Jaylen — for San Antonio — is worth giving up a player that most people talk about as a potential franchise guy in Dylan Harper.

“People that I talked to really like (Harper), but I think Jaylen Brown is — at his age with his contract status, his playoff pedigree — I think that’s worth it. And all of a sudden, you’ve got Fox, you’ve got Brown, you’ve got Castle, and you’ve got Wemby backstopping that team. That’s a championship contender in the Western Conference next season.”

It will be a fascinating offseason for the Celtics and unquestionably the most challenging yet for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. Even if Brown stays put, Stevens will have to make some agonizing decisions this summer with other key players — perhaps as soon as this month, with the 2024 NBA Draft set for June 25.

Here's the latest news and buzz on the Knicks' search for a new head coach...

June 30, 5:50 p.m.

The Knicks will have a second interview with Mike Brown for their head coaching job, according to multiple reports.

Brown, 55, is one of four known candidates to have already interviewed for the vacancy along with Taylor Jenkins, Micah Nori, and James Borrego.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley noted on June 27 that Brown "has made a good impression during the interview process and garnered support."

ESPN's Shams Charania also mentioned that Brown has "emerged as a strong candidate" for the Knicks' job.

Brown owns a career 454-304 (.599) head coaching record with two Coach of the Year awards (2008-2009, 2022-2023) and has made one trip to the NBA Finals in 2007 with the LeBron James-led Cavaliers.

June 25, 6:26 p.m.

The Knicks have identified another assistant who could potentially be their next head coach.

New York is interviewing New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego after the team granted the Knicks permission to speak with him, SNY NBA insider Ian Begley confirmed.

Borrego is the fourth known candidate to interview with the Knicks, joining Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and former head coaches Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown. Begley notes that the door is still not closed on Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.

Borrego, 47, does have head coaching experience. He was named interim coach of the Orlando Magic in February of 2015 and finished with a 10-20 record. After three years as a Spurs assistant, he was hired as the Charlotte Hornets head coach in 2018. In four seasons, Borrego had a 138-163 record.

June 24, 8:58 a.m.

The Knicks are interviewing Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori for the head coaching job, SNY NBA insider Ian Begley confirmed.

This makes three candidates who've interviewed for the vacancy, as New York completed its initial interviews with Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown last week.

Begley notes that the door is still not closed on Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.

Nori, 51, has been the lead assistant coach for the Timberwolves under Chris Finch since 2021 after previous stops as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors.

June 12, 5:10 p.m.

Former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins remains squarely on the Knicks' radar as they continue their search for a new head coach, per people familiar with the matter, according to SNY NBA insider Ian Begley.

Jenkins, 40, was fired by Memphis after nearly six seasons with nine games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season despite having a 44-29 record at the time. It was reported that the Grizzlies were anticipating on firing him after a first-round playoff exit, per ESPN.

The Grizzlies still made the playoffs with a 48-34, earning the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in four games.

Jenkins owns a career coaching record of 250-214 (.539) with his best season coming in 2021-22 when he led the Grizzlies to a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed. That team lost in the conference semifinals, falling to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

New York is not in any rush with its search and are casting a wide net of candidates, Begley reported Wednesday.

June 11, 9:07 p.m.

The Knicks reportedly asked another team about the status of their head coach and were denied again.

According to the Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson, the Knicks reached out to the Chicago Bulls for permission to speak to Billy Donovan.

Per Johnson, the Bulls "value Donovan highly for his coaching acumen, communication skills and ability to connect with players and all members of the organization."

June 11, 6:03 p.m.

The Knicks requested permission to interview Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder but have been denied, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.

Syder is the fourth currently-employed coach to have their team deny the Knicks' request to speak with them, joining Ime Udoka, Jason Kidd and Chris Finch.

Snyder began his head coaching career with the Utah Jazz (2014-22), amassing a 372-264 record and a 21-30 record in the postseason. Snyder then joined the Hawks, where he's led the team to a 86-93 record in the regular season and a 2-4 record in the playoffs since the 2022-23 campaign.

June 11, 9:22 a.m.

The Knicks requested permission to interview Jason Kidd, which the Mavericks declined, per multiple reports.

New York also recently asked for permission to speak with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch -- with those requests also denied.

June 7, 2:58 p.m.

Former Villanova head coach Jay Wright is not a candidate for the Knicks job, SNY NBA insider Ian Begley confirms.

Knicks team president Leon Rose and Wright have a close relationship and speak regularly, but because of that, Rose knows Wright is very happy as a retiree, Begley notes.

Of course, many speculated Wright could be a candidate because he coached Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges in college. Wright retired in 2022 after 21 seasons at Villanova and is now a college basketball analyst on CBS and TNT.

June 6, 1:18 p.m.

Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, and Jason Kidd are among the coaches currently under contract who the Knicks have degrees of interest in, reports SNY NBA insider Ian Begley.

Per Begley, the Knicks will request permission from the Mavericks to interview Kidd.

Marc Stein was first to report the expectation that the Knicks would ask to speak with Kidd.

Kidd, 52, has been the Mavericks' head coach since 2021.

Udoka is the head coach of the Rockets, while Finch is the head coach of the Timberwolves.

Kidd wrapped up his Hall-of-Fame playing career with a stint with the Knicks, so there is some familiarity between the two parties.

If the Knicks wind up hiring Udoka, Finch, or Kidd, they will be required to send compensation to their former team.

June 4, 2:41 p.m.

The Rockets have "no interest in entertaining" a scenario where they allow head coach Ime Udoka to leave for the Knicks job, reports Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Per The Athletic, Udoka and the Rockets are "committed to the long-term project and are actively preparing for a busy offseason."

Udoka, 47, has been the Rockets' head coach since the 2023-24 season.

He served as the Celtics' head coach from 2021 to 2023, and has worked as an assistant for the Spurs, 76ers, and Nets.

June 2, 12:40 p.m.

The Suns are hiring Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott to be their next head coach, which means potential Knicks candidate Johnnie Bryant is still available.

Bryant was reported to be one of the finalists for the job in Phoenix.

June 2, 3:02 a.m.

SNY NBA insider Ian Begley reports that it would be surprising if the Knicks found their next head coach by the end of this week.

Additionally, Begley noted that people recently in touch with the team have downplayed the idea of Mike Malone being a slam-dunk hire.

Begley also noted that the early read is that Dan Hurley isn’t at the top of New York’s initial list, adding that Ime Udoka was a name he had heard mentioned. To hire Udoka, the Knicks would have to get permission from Houston and give the Rockets compensation to let Udoka out of his deal.

As far as Jason Kidd, Begley reported that he can’t see the Mavericks even entertaining the idea of letting Kidd go.

Mannix: How teams are viewing Celtics ahead of pivotal offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics might be the most fascinating franchise ahead of what could be a very exciting NBA offseason.

The Celtics are one of three teams in the second apron, and based on what their roster could cost next season, it would make sense to shed some salary this summer and create future flexibility.

With superstar forward Jayson Tatum sidelined as he starts a lengthy recovery from Achilles surgery, the Celtics could choose one of several different paths. Do they make a couple minor changes and try to remain competitive in a weak Eastern Conference next season? Or do they take a bit of a step back, make moves with an eye toward the future and look to be a serious contender two seasons from now?

And what does the rest of the league think of the Celtics’ dilemma?

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix answered that question Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’Season YouTube show.

“Whenever I talk to teams about Boston, they’re almost viewed as a target where they’ve got a little something for everybody,” Mannix said. “If you want a wing player, you can try to pull Sam Hauser out of there. If you need a defensive-minded guard, Jrue Holiday is available. I just think teams are waiting to see how deep the cuts with Boston are going to go. We all know they’re going to slice away some of this payroll.”

Which players could be available if the Celtics are looking to shed salary?

“Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.

“Teams I’ve talked to just aren’t fully sure what Boston wants to do. Do they want to just nibble around the fringes and get under the second apron, or do they really want to reboot this thing, take that full gap year, and go into 2026-27 with Jayson Tatum and some other stuff as the centerpiece of the team?”

Hauser is about to enter the first season of a four-year extension worth $45 million. He is a career 42 percent 3-point shooter and can hold his own defensively. Hauser’s quality outside shooting and modest salary could make him attractive to a bunch of teams.

Holiday has two more years, plus a 2027-28 player option, left on his contract with an average annual salary of $33.6 million. The veteran guard is still a decent scorer, is a very good defensive player and has plenty of championship experience.

Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract with a $30.7 million salary cap hit. The veteran center is a good 3-point shooter and a strong interior defender, but he’s not very durable. Porzingis has played in 99 of a possible 164 regular season games since joining the Celtics.

The Celtics ran it back with their championship roster in 2024-25, and just like the previous five defending champions, they didn’t make it past the second round of the playoffs. Now the hard part has arrived. How will Brad Stevens and his front office staff tweak the roster? It’ll be exciting to watch it all unfold.

Watch the full episode of The Off C’Season in the video below: