Exhale.
In a pre-draft transaction, the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal. The Memphis Grizzlies will send Tyus Jones to DC and (gulp) Marcus Smart will issue a ticket to Grind City. Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari will join Jones with the Wizards. Boston will also receive first-round picks from Memphis, the 25th pick in tomorrow’s draft and a 2024 Golden State protected first-round pick, and send the 35th pick to Washington.
With less than two hours left for Porzingis’ player option deadline, the deal nearly fell through. according to Mark Stein NBA insiderthe Clippers backed out of another rumored three-team deal due to concerns about Malcolm Brogdon’s health which would have also affected ex-Celtic Marcus Morris, Amir Kofi and D.C.’s 30th pick.
With Al Horford coming in in years 17 and 18 and Robert Williams having averaged fewer than 50 games over the past three seasons, adding the 28-year-old Porzingis to the Celtics’ frontcourt makes sense. He has come off a career high, playing 65 games and averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest. Here are some promising stats from former CelticsBlogger and current Ringer Kevin O’Connor:
Kristaps Porzingis stats from his best season of his career:
Points allowed for each choice
1 – Anthony Davis (0.91)
2. Stephen Adams (0.92)
3 – Giannis Antietekounmo (0.92)
4 – Kristaps Purringes (0.93)
5- Walker Kessler (0.93)One of the best P&R defenders in the NBA. and on…
– Kevin O’Connor (KevinOConnorNBA) June 21, 2023
Porzingis will make an immediate impact in Boston next season, but tonight, the big headline for fans will be the Celtics’ farewell to Marcus Smart. As the longest Celtic out of his nine-year career in Boston and just like the Celtic Pride both on and off the ground, this is a big punch. Replacement of its production is possible. Replacing the man, his driving, his hustle, everything seems impossible tonight. Love and trust. always.
Today was Porzingis’ deadline to pick up a $36 million player option for next season. He is expected to sign an extension in Boston and in each ESPN’s Bobby MarksThe maximum the Celtics could offer would be a two-year, $77 million contract starting July 6.
The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reported earlier today that after the Porzingis touchdown, the movement likely means that Grant Williams’ time in Boston is over. The Celtics could still make a qualifying bid after July 1, but with rumored interest from so many teams and a tougher CBA on the horizon, it’ll be hard to match anything competitive. Still, the signing and trade is still a front office option for Boston, and he’s now armed with the 25th overall pick. Tomorrow things could get interesting with Malcolm Brogdon being put up in the air as well.