The Boston Celtics have made a significant move ahead of the draft, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade. In the deal, the Memphis Grizzlies will send Tyus Jones to the Wizards, while Marcus Smart will join the Grizzlies. The Wizards will also receive Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari from the Grizzlies, and the Celtics will obtain two first-round picks from Memphis.
The trade almost fell apart just before Porzingis' player option deadline, as the Clippers backed out of another rumored three-team deal involving Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Morris. Ultimately, the Celtics secured Porzingis, adding him to their frontcourt alongside Al Horford and Robert Williams.
Porzingis, coming off a career year, played 65 games and posted impressive averages of 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. His addition provides immediate impact for the Celtics, but the departure of Marcus Smart is a significant loss for the team. Smart, who had spent his entire nine-year career in Boston, was known for his leadership, hustle, and overall contributions to the Celtics' identity.
Porzingis had until the trade deadline to decide on his $36 million player option for the upcoming season. It is expected that he will sign an extension with the Celtics, with a maximum offer of a two-year, $77 million contract starting on July 6th.
The acquisition of Porzingis likely means that Grant Williams' time in Boston is coming to an end, according to reports. While the Celtics could still make him a qualifying offer, matching competitive offers from other teams could be challenging given the rumored interest in Williams.
This trade represents a bold move for the Celtics as they seek to make further improvements after falling short of their championship aspirations. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and coming close to defeating the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics had high hopes but failed to achieve their goal in the 2023 postseason. The decision to part ways with Smart signals a willingness to make significant changes to the team's core without necessarily trading away stars like Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown.
Smart, known for his defensive prowess and leadership, is expected to have a strong trade market due to his valuable skill set and willingness to hold teammates accountable. Despite his limitations as a shooter and scorer, Smart's contributions go beyond the box score, making him an attractive asset for teams in need of his unique skill set.
No comments:
Post a Comment