As the Boston Celtics gear up for what promises to be a busy offseason, the question of Kristaps Porzingis’ future with the team has come into sharper focus. While Porzingis’ availability continues to be a concern — he missed 25 games in the 2023-24 season and sat out 40 more in 2024-25 — his value to the Celtics when healthy is undeniable. A proposed trade scenario from MassLive’s Brian Robb, sending Porzingis to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for former Celtic Robert Williams and defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle, has stirred significant debate among NBA analysts and fans alike.
On NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’Season special, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor both shared their thoughts on the hypothetical deal. Mannix offered a balanced take, noting that while health is a concern, Porzingis’ skill set and compatibility with Boston’s stars — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — give him long-term value that should not be overlooked.
“If Porzingis can play, if he’s shaken whatever this illness was, he brings a lot more value than Robert Williams,” said Mannix. “You want a guy that — on a lesser contract — 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.”
O’Connor took it a step further, arguing that the Celtics should do everything in their power to retain the 7-foot-3 forward, especially if the proposed return is underwhelming.
“Porzingis is a guy I’d prefer to keep, considering his value is so low right now,” O’Connor stated. “If you’re only getting back Time Lord — who, I love him, but he’s injury-prone — and Thybulle, who cannot shoot and hasn’t for multiple teams, that’s not a great return for Kristaps Porzingis.”
The Latvian big man has been a crucial X-factor for Boston. His presence adds an important dimension to the team’s offense with his three-point shooting, post-up capabilities, and ability to stretch the floor. Defensively, his shot-blocking and rim protection have made a difference, especially in key matchups where the Celtics need size and versatility in the frontcourt.
While the Celtics’ depth at the forward and center positions is in flux — with Al Horford and Luke Kornet entering free agency — trading away Porzingis without receiving comparable talent in return could backfire. Robert Williams, though a fan favorite and elite shot blocker, has battled persistent injury issues himself. Thybulle, for all his defensive prowess, has struggled offensively, particularly with his shooting, making him a limited contributor on that end of the court.
Considering the potential trade return and the uncertainty surrounding the frontcourt, it makes more sense for Celtics president Brad Stevens to hold on to Porzingis — at least until his value rebounds. With EuroBasket 2025 on the horizon, there’s an opportunity to see how Porzingis looks in competitive international play. If he’s healthy and performs well, Boston could either enjoy the benefits of a reinvigorated frontcourt contributor or explore more favorable trade options midseason.
In short, trading Kristaps Porzingis now — especially for a low-upside package — could be a shortsighted move. Boston would be wise to keep their do-it-all big man and see how the summer and early season unfold before making any dramatic roster changes.