The Boston Celtics have been very cautious with their approach with Kristaps Porzingis. With Porzingis healthy the C’s probably have the best starting 5 in the NBA. Given their success last year, they’d want the 7-foot-2 center to be at his 100%. After his surprising early return from the offseason leg surgery, KP has had a relatively smooth run on the floor this season. He appeared in six games before Sunday, averaging 20.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. But… he might be injured again.

Porzingis tweaked his foot after finishing an alley-oop with just under six minutes to go in the second quarter against the Wizards. About a minute later, the Celtics pulled him from the game, and by halftime, they ruled him questionable to return. With KP out, Luke Kornet stepped in as the starting center for the second half, filling in for Al Horford, who was already getting a rest that day.

Bobby Manning posted, “Porzingis said leaving the game was more of a precautionary move after he banged his heel at one point in the first half. He’s not sure if he’ll need to miss time, but he dealt with something similar in the past and it doesn’t sound concerning.”

Affirmation of which soon surfaced, as Porzingis shared that his heel felt pretty sore when the team started the second half. “I told the medical staff, and they pulled me out,” he said. “I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

Looking ahead, Porzingis remains hopeful. “I should be good for the next game,” he added. “But we’ll see.”

Before the injury, KP was having one of his best games this season against his former team. In only 11 minutes, he hit 5 of 6 shots, scoring 11 points and helping Boston establish a solid lead. Even though the C’s claimed their victory, a reliable center is what they’d desperately like.

Can Kristaps Porzingis be traded? The C’s want no chink in their armor

The Celtics are stacked and ready to chase another championship, but there’s one area still raising eyebrows—the center position.

With Al Horford pushing 39, the Celtics can’t fully bank on him to carry them through a long playoff run. Add to that the Unicorn’s injury woes, and you’ve got a bit of a ticking time bomb. He has missed 20 games to start the season, and a heel injury in Sunday’s game has added more uncertainty around his durability. Sure, Porziņgis is talented, but his body just doesn’t stay healthy for long.

So here’s the question: should Brad Stevens, the Celtics GM pull the trigger on a Porziņgis trade before things get worse? Boston’s loaded with talent at guard and wing, but that frontcourt depth still feels a little thin.

One option? A deal with the Houston Rockets. A trade sending Kristaps Porziņgis to Houston for Steven Adams would address the center issue and could also get the Celtics some serious assets, like Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, and maybe even a first-round pick. Adams’ inclusion gives them the reliable big man they need, while Smith Jr. and Whitmore would provide athleticism and youth off the bench—something the C’s could use given their current wing depth.

Trading Porziņgis would likely lower Boston’s ceiling a bit, but raising the floor might be just what they need. After all, last year they showed they can contend without KP, so why not solidify their roster and go all in for Banner 19?