The biggest shock isn’t that Boston wants a new star. It is that the team might have to give up its own future to get one. A fresh proposal suggests the Celtics would ship Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Luka Garza to the Sacramento Kings. They would send a 2028 first-round pick to seal the deal for Domantas Sabonis per Yahoo Sports.
This framework clears the league’s salary-matching rules but creates a massive problem. Both franchises would face a hard cap at the first apron under the deal. A full 14-man roster would remain out of reach for each front office. That is a steep price for a player who just had left meniscus surgery in February 2026 that ended his season after 19 games.
The Murphy Myth
Many fans are talking about trading for Trey Murphy III. They think Boston is lining up a deal with New Orleans. Heavy reports that no discussion regarding this exact package by the teams has been indicated.com. The Pelicans’ asking price has been steep. Per heavy, the asking price dropped from roughly four first-round picks to a minimum of three.com.
Should Brad Stevens choose to spend some capital for a long-term partner for Jayson Tatum, heavy places Trey Murphy III high on the list.com. But right now, this is just a theory. Financial flexibility and future draft capital constituted the true currency Boston gained from Philadelphia, according to heavy.com.
The Sabonis Reality
Sabonis is a proven force. Yahoo Sports notes his career averages stand at 16.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. He has three All-Star selections and three rebounding titles. Yahoo Sports confirms he is owed $45.472 million this season and $48.608 million in 2027-28, with both amounts fully guaranteed.
Sacramento has displayed no interest in securing an extension. Yahoo Sports indicates the Boston pick does not qualify as a clean unprotected selection. Yahoo Sports identifies the asset as the one linking the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers that the Celtics acquired during the July 2026 Jaylen Brown trade to the Sixers. The pick might convey as a late first, a swap, or even two selections in one branch.
Derrick White brings his own value. Yahoo Sports reports he tallied 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks during 2025-26. He owns three All-Defensive selections. Yahoo Sports confirms he remains signed through a player option in 2028-29. Boston’s outgoing salary is roughly $44 million against Sabonis’ $45.
According to heavy, the Celtics did not trade Jaylen Brown simply to become older.com. Paul George was part of the return for the Boston Celtics per heavy.com. Now the front office faces a choice. Do they keep their flexibility or burn it for a 30-year-old center who is already on a hard cap? Sabonis, 30, was born in Portland, Oregon. His Hall of Fame father, Arvydas, played for the Trail Blazers.
Sabonis turned pro as a teenager with Unicaja Málaga in Spain. He spent two seasons at Gonzaga. He went 11th overall to Orlando in 2016. Sacramento landed Sabonis in February 2022 in a trade for Tyrese Haliburton.
