The Boston Celtics are sitting in a strong position as the NBA trade deadline approaches, but don’t expect them to cash in all their chips just yet-especially not the Kristaps Porzingis trade exception.
That exception, created during last summer’s multi-team deal involving the Hawks and Nets, is a valuable tool. But for now, it’s staying in the drawer.
According to reports, Boston is unlikely to use it before the February 5 deadline. Why?
Because Brad Stevens has spent the past offseason carefully maneuvering the Celtics below the league’s second luxury tax apron-and he’s not about to undo all that work.
Right now, Boston sits $7.8 million under that second apron, and the penalties for crossing it aren’t just financial-they come with serious roster-building limitations. So unless the Celtics are sending out a matching contract (think Anfernee Simons), don’t expect them to absorb a big salary using that exception. More likely, that exception becomes a summertime asset, when expiring deals come off the books and the team can explore larger moves without the same constraints.
Stevens Still Has Room to Work the Phones
Now, just because the Porzingis exception is on ice doesn’t mean Stevens is sitting still. Far from it.
He’s already built a championship-caliber roster and cleaned up the cap sheet, and the Celtics are holding the No. 2 seed in the East midway through the season. But Stevens is still looking for ways to sharpen the edges.
According to Shams Charania, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Boston is actively pursuing a “big-time starting center” ahead of the deadline. That’s not just window shopping-the Celtics are reportedly ready to get aggressive if the right fit comes along.
Names like Ivica Zubac, Daniel Gafford, and Myles Turner have been floated as potential targets. Each would bring a different flavor to the Celtics’ frontcourt-Zubac’s rebounding and physicality, Gafford’s rim protection and athleticism, Turner’s defensive versatility and shooting. If Stevens wants to make a move for one of them, Simons’ contract could be the key to making the money match.
Even if Boston were to swing bigger-say, for a player like Domantas Sabonis-they wouldn’t necessarily need the Porzingis exception. Sam Hauser’s salary could be packaged to help facilitate a deal of that magnitude, giving Stevens flexibility without touching the exception at all.
What It All Means for the Deadline
Bottom line: the Celtics are in a position of strength. They don’t need to make a move, but they’re positioned to do so if the right opportunity presents itself. The Porzingis trade exception is a luxury they’re keeping in their back pocket for now-something to revisit in the offseason when the financial landscape opens up a bit.
In the meantime, Stevens will look to get creative with the assets already on the table. He’s shown a knack for making the right move at the right time, and with Boston already in the title conversation, any addition would be about fine-tuning, not overhauling.
So don’t expect fireworks from the Porzingis exception just yet. But with Stevens running the show, don’t rule out something smart-and potentially impactful-between now and the deadline.