Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
New Celtics-Spurs Trade Report Surfaces One Day Before NBA Draft
© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have made their first seismic change of the offseason, trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons. With Holiday now gone, next is Kristaps Porzingis. Jake Fischer reported some of the latest intel on Porzingis' trade market, including the San Antonio Spurs.

"Another team we've heard with a level of Porzingis interest: San Antonio," Fischer wrote. "The Spurs, sources say, have held some exploratory talks about trading for the 7-foot-2 center. That would certainly be a fascinating outcome for Porzingis if he were to land with the on-the-rise Spurs alongside the 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama.

"As Monday night dribbled into Tuesday morning, I was cautioned that San Antonio, in the end, should probably be classified as an unlikely destination for Porzingis."

Now, a new report has surfaced regarding this potential trade between San Antonio and Boston. News 4 San Antonio's Don Harris has confirmed the Spurs' interest in Porzingis. He also revealed where talks are at between the two sides and who he sees going back to Boston.

"Can confirm that Spurs have shown interest for Boston's Kristaps Porzingis with talks intensifying over the last 24 hours," Harris wrote. "Boston is purging salaries. No details on what the Spurs are offering. KP is on a 1 year $30 million expiring contract. I'm thinking Barnes would have to be in the deal."

Like with the Holiday trade, the Celtics would prioritize saving money in a Porzingis trade. Boston didn't save that much money from the Holiday trade, so if the same scenario happens with Porzingis, Boston may have to trade more players away to accomplish their offseason goals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Celtics Rumors: NBA Insider Provides Major Update on Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang Trades
NBA

Celtics Rumors: NBA Insider Provides Major Update on Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang Trades

An insider has revealed how the Boston Celtics could approach the futures of new additions Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang. The Boston Celtics have been trying to find another trade partner to reroute a couple of players they have acquired in trades this offseason, after trading both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Boston got Simons in return for Holiday, and Niang (plus a second-round pick) in return for Porzingis. It doesn't seem like the Celtics want to keep either player for the long term. The Celtics are still trying to get under the second apron of the luxury tax, so they need to shed more salary. An insider recently gave an update on their goal of trading these players away to achieve that ultimate goal. More news: Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Celtics will likely enter the season with both Simons and Niang on their roster. He does mention that both of them could still be moved, though. "The Boston Celtics have remained active on the trade market this offseason, even after trading for Simons and Georges Niang," Siegel writes. "While they have talked with teams about both players, the Celtics will likely enter the season with these two on their roster. It is very possible that Simons and/or Niang could be flipped to cut costs at the trade deadline, depending on where Boston is in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics do want to see how Simons fits in Joe Mazzulla's system, as he is a player they are intrigued by, given his 3-point shooting prowess." Boston would actually benefit from keeping Simons on the basketball court because of his ability to score and get hot from beyond the 3-point arc. More news: Former Celtics NBA Champion Released By West Squad Niang is also a good 3-point shooter, and the Celtics launch more 3's than any team in the NBA. Keeping both players on the roster into next year would fit their style of play. Simons is on an expiring deal, so they wouldn't have him on their cap sheet long term. Niang is also on an expiring contract, so he wouldn't be on the cap sheet after this year, either. If Boston can find suitable trade partners for them, they will likely move them. If not, they will have to keep them on the roster and shed salary elsewhere on the roster. More news: Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.

Maple Leafs Linked With All-Star in Potential Move
NHL

Maple Leafs Linked With All-Star in Potential Move

As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for different ways to improve the roster, one area where the team needs help is depth. This could see Toronto's front office explore multiple options to bring more talent to the team. And it seems that the Maple Leafs are being linked with a former All-Star to help bolster the team. That would be veteran Max Pacioretty, who spent this past season with the Maple Leafs. Toronto and reportedly have mutual interest in a reunion, but nothing has come about yet. Pacioretty was rumored to be retiring earlier in the offseason, but it seems that he could return for another season. The veteran only played 37 games for the Maple Leafs this past season, mainly due to injury. With the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty scored just five goals and put up eight assists. Since his time on the ice was limited, the veteran may want to come back to prove he can still produce. This would give Pacioretty a chance to go out on his own terms, rather than leaving following an injury-riddled season. Pacioretty would give the Maple Leafs some needed depth, and he could play an important role in the backend of the lines. While the veteran isn't the same player that he once was, he could still give this team a jolt if he can stay healthy. But whether he decides to return or call it a career remains up in the air. However, it seems that if he does return for next season, the Maple Leafs may be the only team that he considers.

Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement
NHL

Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement

The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.

'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward
NHL

'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward

According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!