Blockbuster Live: he’s in! Rich Gotham Boston Celtics officially cooking honey after receiving a total bombshell minutes ago” he followed him from the airport as shocking phone call changed the story” $42–43 million set to be splash according to source.. here’s the full turn around details….
Kings’ Big Man Floated in Celtics Trade Buzz
Fresh speculation across NBA media suggests the Boston Celtics are considering a trade for Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis, as they grapple with roster instability and cap concerns heading into the 2025–26 season . The idea made waves after a recent episode of NESN’s “Hold My Banner,” where hosts argued Sabonis could solve Boston’s frontcourt woes in Jayson Tatum’s absence .
Why Sabonis?
Sabonis is coming off a standout 2024–25 campaign, averaging roughly 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, while shooting 59% from the floor and 41.7% from deep. His ability to run the high pick‑and‑roll and distribute from the post makes him one of the league’s most versatile big men . As a three‑time All‑Star, his ceiling fits the Celtics’ title‑contender timeline once Tatum returns from his Achilles injury .
Sabonis is under contract for at least two more seasons at a salary around $42–43 million next year, having signed a four‑year extension in 2023 .
Proposed Trade Package: Celtics Would Pay Big
Analyst Connor Thoms (via Bleacher Report) laid out one hypothetical framework:
Celtics receive: Domantas Sabonis
Kings receive: Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Georges Niang, Neemias Queta, plus two first‑round draft picks
Thoms and other outlets reason that Boston’s incoming haul—Simons and Niang—are expendable after they were acquired in earlier offseason deals. Queta and Hauser round out salary match, with draft capital sweetening the pot .
Another speculative version floated on Fadeaway World echoes this structure, stressing that Boston would pay significant pick capital and depth players to secure Sabonis’s services immediately
Celtics’ Present Motivation: Both Talent and Financial
With Jayson Tatum recovering from Achilles surgery, Boston’s championship hopes hinge on reconfiguring their frontcourt quickly. Recent departures—especially Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis—have stripped veteran depth and raised concerns about interior stability .
Financial stress also looms large: Boston’s payroll is projected to exceed $500 million for 2025–26, triggering early entrance into the second luxury tax apron . Moving out Simons, Niang, or other expiring contracts along with picks helps both roster flexibility and cap mitigation.
Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan, Keon Ellis, and Zach LaVine remain high-profile Kings assets often discussed in other Celtics trades, but Sabonis stands out as the primary pivot for Boston’s interior upgrade .
Would Sacramento Even Trade Sabonis?
At 29 and locked in financially, Sabonis has no no‑trade clause—but the Kings would likely demand a hefty return. There’s no reported trade request from him at this point .
Sacramento’s front-office has still insisted on building around him, and while Fox is gone and the roster shaky, trading Sabonis would represent a full pivot away from their core strategy. Analysts say they’d want to see “everything, all the swaps, all the picks” from Boston for Jaylen Brown—or Sabonis—or both .
Still, major trade ideas involving Sabonis have been floated in trade proposal spaces and podcasts, leaving open the possibility Boston could test Sacramento’s interest.
Key Challenges and Constraints
Salary and luxury tax rules
Acquiring Sabonis would raise Boston’s cap obligations. They’d need to shed equivalent contracts—likely via outgoing picks or expiring contracts—to comply with NBA trade rules and manage salary increases incrementally .
Asset depletion
Boston would surrender young pieces like Simons, offensive spacing provided by Niang and Hauser, plus two premium draft picks—valuable in any rebuild or recalibration era .
On Sacramento’s side, they’d need to justify turning internal assets into more draft capital while giving up a franchise cog who posted historic rebounding and passing numbers.
Potential Outcomes and Strategic Implications
If executed, Sabonis would anchor Boston’s frontcourt for at least two seasons, potentially giving them a core of Brown, White, Sabonis—with Tatum rejoining the following year. That could reinstate their contender status rapidly.
For the Kings, the trade would accelerate a retooling phase around guards like LaVine or DeRozan and yield future assets—hinting at a potential shift toward long-term flexibility or flexibility in free agency.
But the Celtics must weigh short-term gain vs. future depth and flexibility, while Sacramento must assess whether moving a proven All-Star aligns better with long-term goals than keeping him in place.
Bottom Line
While still speculative and not yet confirmed by team executives, the rumor that the Celtics are “kicking the tires” on Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis reflects Boston’s urgent search for interior strength and identity amid salary concerns and roster flux .
Whether this becomes reality will hinge on how seriously Sacramento views leveraging Sabonis for youth and picks, and whether Boston deems the trade-off worthwhile before recalibrating once Tatum returns.
As of July 29, 2025, conversations seem exploratory—but fans and pundits should be watching draft pick valuations and small‑print salary/trade paperwork closely as the offseason progresses.
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