Celtics Linked to Potential Reunion With Former Star
The Boston Celtics spent the offseason reshaping their roster and resetting under the second apron. Brad Stevens and new owner Bill Chisholm kept their focus on flexibility, with the front office now positioned to strike in 2026.
That reset has already sparked speculation about who Boston might chase once the cap sheet clears. In a recent piece, CelticsBlog’s Jack Anderson floated a familiar name: Kristaps Porzingis.
Why a Celtics Reunion Could Make Sense
Porzingis’ first stint in Boston ended with frustration. Injuries robbed him of the chance to contribute in the 2024 playoffs, and he was eventually moved in the financial reset. More recently, he revealed that the illness that sidelined him in those playoffs has cleared, though he still does not know exactly what it was, per
When healthy, Porzingis fit seamlessly alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He stretched the floor, protected the rim, and gave Boston a unique two-way weapon. At
If his market dips and he becomes available closer to the mid-level exception (around $14 million), a reunion could make sense.
Reality Check for the Celtics
The truth is, the odds are slim. Boston traded Porzingis when his value was low, and he is already showing signs of bouncing back. He averaged
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague explained it on the
“The Hawks are going to make the playoffs, conference finals without a doubt… Have Porzingis spread, pause. He about to be lining up half-court shooting threes. Trae Young going to have all this room to operate… Porzingis? Bro, he in contract year, you know how this go. He ‘bout to play 70 games.”
If that version of Porzingis shows up, his price will likely soar beyond Boston’s reach.
Jeff Teague:
“The Hawks are going to make the playoffs, conference finals without a doubt… Have Porzingis spread, pause. He about to be lining up half-court shooting threes. Trae Young going to have all this room to operate… Porzingis? Bro, he in contract year, you know how…
pic.twitter.com/NZ8YVegJcj— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 21, 2025
Why Porzingis Could Still Be Open to Boston
One thing Boston has going for it is how much Porzingis enjoyed being a Celtic. He bought into the culture, fit in with the locker room, and spoke often about how much he liked playing for the franchise. Even after being traded, it is not hard to imagine him keeping the door open to a return.
Boston will always be special in my heart.Huge thank you to the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the fans! Class organization. Forever grateful. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/z1KhKocN1I
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee)
June 25, 2025
What It Means Going Forward
The Celtics did not reset their books just to save money. With Tatum sidelined and second-apron penalties looming, Stevens and the front office made painful choices to preserve long-term flexibility. The plan is to create room for impact additions in 2026.
A Porzingis reunion would be a surprise. For it to happen, his market would need to dip considerably. More likely, he shines in a contract year and prices himself out of Boston’s plans.
Dodgers reveal controversial hero as ceremonial first pitch for Game 1 vs. Reds
The Dodgers could have any number of people throw out their ceremonial first pitch in every game they play this postseason. This year alone, they've had world-famous athletes, K-pop stars, LA icon Kobe Bryant's daughter Bianka, players' kids, and so on. An untold number of celebrities have been spotted at Dodger Stadium throughout the season.
But instead of any of the diehard celebrity Dodgers fans out there, the team will instead have...former middle reliever Joe Kelly throw out the first pitch for Game 1 against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers have a fondness for Kelly that some fans just can't make sense of. Sure, he spent five years with the club and a pretty good 2021 season, and he technically won two World Series with LA, but he sat out of the entire 2024 run and posted a 4.78 ERA in the regular season. He was also reportedly working up toward a major league tryout with LA this season (he insisted that he would only sign with the Dodgers) that clearly didn't work out, because he's still contract-less.
Sounds like the Dodgers said, "Thanks, but no thanks. Would you prefer to throw a single, meaningless, and probably not televised ceremonial pitch instead?"
Dodgers tab former reliever Joe Kelly to throw out ceremonial first pitch in Wild Card Game 1 vs. Reds
Maybe Kelly's viral shenanigans against Carlos Correa and the Astros in 2020 really were all that was needed to turn a player into a folk hero?
It's been sort of a nostalgia-tinged year for the Dodgers overall. They've welcomed multiple players who left in the offseason (or were traded away) back to Dodger Stadium to present their World Series rings, they're saying goodbye to Clayton Kershaw, and so on. Maybe they just want to give Dodgers fans one last and very obvious reminder of their recent glories ahead of their long trek back to the Fall Classic (even though Kelly didn't pitch in October 2024).
Maybe they're keeping their heavy hitters in the chamber for a possible NLDS, NLCS, and World Series. We guess you can't get Ice Cube to do a pregame show at every postseason game.
