A proposed Boston Celtics trade would send Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Luka Garza, and a first-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis. The framework, constructed on FanSpo's trade machine, clears NBA salary-matching rules but would hard-cap both franchises at the first apron.
What is the proposed Celtics trade package?
The trade sends Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Luka Garza, and a 2028 first-round pick to Sacramento for Domantas Sabonis. White is the centerpiece of the outgoing package. The 32-year-old guard averaged 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks in the 2025-26 season and owns three All-Defensive team selections.
Sam Hauser brings elite shooting, having hit 41.2% from three for his career and starting 49 games last season. Luka Garza posted 8.1 points on 57.7% shooting and 43.3% from deep in 2025-26. The draft pick involved is not a clean unprotected selection. It's the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers-linked asset Boston collected in the July 2026 Jaylen Brown trade.
How does Domantas Sabonis fit with the Celtics?
Sabonis, 30, is a three-time All-Star and three-time rebounding champion with career averages of 16.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. His contract is significant, owed $45.472 million this season and $48.608 million in 2027-28, both fully guaranteed. Sacramento has shown no interest in an extension, according to a RealGM report.
He underwent left meniscus surgery in February 2026, ending his season after just 19 games. His fit in Boston's system raises questions. The Celtics built their 2024 title and 2025-26 campaign on volume three-point shooting and switchable wings. Sabonis shot just 18.5% from three last season, and this deal subtracts two of the rotation's steadiest shooters in White and Hauser.
What are the financial and roster implications?
Boston's outgoing salary of roughly $44 million against Sabonis' $45.472 million creates a $1.47 million increase. Both teams would finish above the tax line and be hard-capped at the first apron. The trade would leave Boston with only 12 standard contracts and Sacramento with 13. That's two short of the required 14-man roster for each team, forcing both front offices to find additional players.
According to FanSpo's model, Boston would lose two wins and 26.5 minutes per game of production. The model gives Sacramento two additional wins. The Kings, who finished 22-60 and have already moved on from De'Aaron Fox, would shed $94 million in remaining Sabonis money while adding three rotation players and a first-round asset. You can track how such a move might affect the team's future performance on our standings page.
Is this a good deal for Boston?
The trade represents a major gamble. Boston would be acquiring a high-cost, elite rebounder and passer in Sabonis but sacrificing their best two-way guard in Derrick White.
Adding Sabonis would fundamentally alter Boston's identity. They would gain a dominant interior presence but lose significant perimeter shooting and defensive versatility. The financial commitment is enormous for a player coming off knee surgery. For Sacramento, it's a clear rebuild move, acquiring a defensive leader in White, a sharpshooter in Hauser, and future draft capital to reshape their roster.