The Boston Celtics are considered more likely to trade away Kristaps Porzingis or Jrue Holiday at some point as opposed to Derrick White, league sources tell Jake Fischer. The Celtics acquired White at the 2022 trade deadline from the San Antonio Spurs while Porizingis and Holiday arrived during the 2023 offseason.
“White would seemingly generate the most trade value of the three if he were to be made available after the playoffs, but his name wasn’t mentioned once to me in reporting out this story” writes Fischer.
White appears to be just below Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in terms of players who are least likely to be moved.
“Several league figures with knowledge of Boston’s thinking have remained adamant about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continuing to be the unquestioned on-court pillars of this franchise,” added Fischer.
Porzingis has an expiring $30.7 million salary for 2025-26 that could emerge as movable money. Porzingis elevated the Celtics during the 23-24 title run, but he has been frequently injured since last year’s playoffs. Trading away Porzingis could save the Celtics approximately $218 million in taxes.
Holiday is owed $104 million over the next three seasons. While Holiday is a unique defensive player, the Celtics could elevate the roles of Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman to help offset his loss.