In a jaw-dropping twist straight out of NBA fantasy land, Bill Simmons dropped a bombshell on his January 29th podcast episode that has Celtics fans buzzing with excitement—and a healthy dose of skepticism. During a lively mailbag segment, Simmons tackled a reader’s audacious hypothetical: What if Kristaps Porzingis, the former Celtics big man who helped hoist Banner 18, ends up back in green on a veteran’s minimum deal? It’s the kind of reunion plot twist that could supercharge Boston’s title defense, but it’s riddled with “what ifs” and health hurdles. Buckle up, because this scenario is as wild as it is intriguing.
Let’s rewind to the setup. Porzingis, now with the Atlanta Hawks, is sitting on a hefty $30.73 million expiring contract that’s more burden than boon given his injury history. The reader posited that Atlanta might use KP’s deal as salary filler in a trade before the deadline. The acquiring team? Likely just dumping salary themselves, with zero intention of keeping him. Enter the buyout: Porzingis gets waived, clears the inevitable waivers (who’s claiming that contract?), and boom—he’s a free agent, ready to ink a deal with any team except the Hawks.
And here’s the mic-drop moment: What if that team is… the Boston Celtics? Porzingis, fresh off two seasons in Beantown where he averaged solid numbers, built unbreakable bonds with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and the crew, and played a pivotal role in their championship run. Sure, his playoff illness last season might have derailed a repeat bid, and his chronic durability issues (he’s only suited up for 17 games this year with Atlanta) led to his trade. But on a minimum contract? That’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble that could reshape Boston’s frontcourt overnight.
Porzingis has been no slouch in Atlanta, posting 17 points and 5 rebounds per game on 36% from deep, all while delivering his signature rim protection. Yet, those nagging injuries persist, turning what was once a max-level talent into a potential bargain-bin steal. For the Celtics, who shrewdly flipped KP’s contract and replaced him (along with aging Al Horford and Luke Kornet) with minimum-deal gems like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, this could be the ultimate upgrade. Boston’s frontcourt has been shockingly effective so far, but if they’re serious about another ring—and why wouldn’t they be?—adding a proven floor-spacer and shot-blocker like Porzingis would be a game-changer.
Imagine it: A three-headed monster at center, all on minimum salaries. Queta and Garza bring the grit and energy, but Porzingis adds that elite pick-and-pop threat, seamless system familiarity, and championship pedigree. He knows Joe Mazzulla’s schemes inside out, vibes with Payton Pritchard’s hustle, and could slide right back into the rotation without missing a beat. His injury frustrations? More manageable in a shared role, turning a former headache into a luxury option.
Of course, this is pure speculation—a long-shot fever dream that hinges on trades, buyouts, and Porzingis’ willingness to return. But in the high-stakes world of NBA roster tinkering, Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office would be fools not to monitor it closely. After all, reunions like this don’t come around often. If it happens, it could be the stealth move that propels Boston back to the Finals, leaving the league stunned. Stay tuned, Celtics nation—this blockbuster could be the reunion nobody saw coming, but everyone will be talking about.