The Boston Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. The Big Man comes to Beantown in a deal with the Wizards and the Memphis Grizzlies. What does this mean for those involved?
It’s rare that a three-team trade fails and a new deal is found a short time later. But that’s exactly how it was for the Celtics, who according to media reports were close to a conclusion with the LA Clippers as the third team. In this case, Boston would have given up Malcolm Brogdon, instead the Celtics are now sacrificing Marcus Smart, who is moving to Memphis.
This is what the deal with the Clippers would have looked like:
Celtics ReceiveWizards ReceiveClippersKristaps PorzingisMarcus MorrisMalcolm Brogdon-Danilo Gallinari–Amir Coffey–30. Pick 2023-
© getty
And here is the trade, how it is carried out. Whereby: Since the trade from Bradley Beal to Phoenix is not yet official, there is still the possibility that the Wizards will inflate it further, for example to find a new home for Chris Paul. For the moment, however, the construct looks like this:
Celtics getGrizzlies getWizardsgetKristaps PorzingisMarcus SmartTyus Jones25. Pick 2023-35. Pick 2023, first-round pick Warriors 2024-Mike Muscala–Danilo Gallinari
© getty
The Kristaps Porzingis trade: The Celtics’ perspective
It was predictable that the Celtics would change their roster after the disappointing loss to Miami (3-4) in the Conference Finals. The guard positions in particular were oversupplied and it was assumed that it would hit sixth man Brogdon. It almost happened too, but in the end it was Smart.
It’s the end of an era. Smart was the longest-serving Celtic and sort of the face of the franchise, although of course Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the clear stars in Boston. The guard was nonetheless a fan favourite, not only because he dyed his hair green, but because he never failed to engage the crowd with his energetic play.
However, it was also part of the reality that in the past season Smart was not able to build on the level of previous years, crowned by the Defensive Player of the Year 2022 award. Due to his status as a starter, Smart was never up for grabs, even though Derrick White was much more consistent. The 28-year-old will now take on the role of starter with Brown and Tatum occupying the wing positions.
© getty
The trade for Porzingis also means Boston will likely play more big lineups. The Latvian will start alongside Al Horford, likely taking on the role of Robert Williams, who has not recovered from last year’s knee injury. The “Time Lord”, on the other hand, is likely to come off the bench in a smaller role, while Porzingis will primarily defend forwards and take on the role of free saftey, the last line of defence.
In order for the trade to work, Porzingis pulled his $36 million player option and can start talks with the Celtics about an extension starting June 6. The maximum possible is another 77 million over two years, so by 2026. The Latvian played a good season in Washington under the radar and was a good co-star for Bradley Beal, even if the Wizards missed the playoffs.
The unicorn finally stayed fit and with 65 games played as many games as last time for the Knicks in 2016/17. The Big Man will now receive fewer touches in Boston, but the 27-year-old is a real luxury as a third option. The Latvian can widen the playing field for the wing stars, but can also create for himself from the post. The former Mavs Big fits quite well with the philosophy of coach Joe Mazzulla, who relies a lot on the three-pointer.
© getty
And this fell better for the former All-Star. It was 38.5 percent in the past season, almost all of them “Above the Break”. Since Porzingis can also hit very deep threes, this should give Brown and Tatum gaps. In this respect, Porzingis is also a clear upgrade to the Time Lord, since he mostly blocked the zone.
Another Big, on the other hand, will probably not stay. Restricted free agent Grant Williams now has a bad chance of getting a new contract in Boston, as the Celtics even took another $ 10 million through the trade and are now around $ 176 million in salaries. Rumor has it that the new second apron will be around 182.5 million in the upcoming season.
It is all the more important for Boston that they were also able to dust off two first-round picks (albeit two low ones) in this deal in order to draw inexpensive players for the future. Because: Even with the Porzingis trade, Brown’s supermax extension is still in the air (5 years, 295 million), and a year later it’s Tatum’s turn.
© getty
It could be expensive for the Celtics, but they seem to accept that, otherwise President Brad Stevens would not have made this deal. It’s an interesting experiment that makes sense on paper, even if Porzingis has yet to prove he can make a big impact in the playoffs. In Dallas he became a marginal phenomenon alongside Luka Doncic.
But Boston plays differently, that should give hope. In short, Smart and Grant Williams were traded for Porzingis and Payton Pritchard, who is likely to take the vacant spot in the guard rotation after barely playing last year. That should count as a gain, even though Boston basically sold its soul with Smart. Time will tell if Brown or Tatum can lead this team. After all: With Porzingis, the Celtics got the best player in this deal plus picks on top of that.
Boston Celtics: All contracts at a glance
Spieler (Alter)Position23/2424/2525/2626/27Kristaps Porzingis (27)Center36,0UFA–Jayson Tatum (25)Forward32,634,837,1*UFAJaylen Brown (26)Forward31,8UFA–Malcolm Brogdon (30)Guard22,522,5UFA-Derrick White (28)Guard18,419,6UFA-Robert Williams III (25)Center11,612,413,3UFAAl Horford (37)Center10,09,5UFA-Payton Pritchard (25)Guard4,0RFA–Luke Kornet (27)Center2,4UFA–Justin Champagnie (21)Forward1,9***RFA–Sam Hauser (25)Forward1,92,1**UFA-
* Player option, ** Team option, *** Not guaranteed or only partially guaranteed, UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent, RFA = Restricted Free Agent
© getty
The Trade by Kristaps Porzingis: The Grizzlies’ View
It may be surprising why Memphis put two first rounders on the table for Smart while still having possibly the best backup point guard in the NBA in Tyus Jones. Rumors had been circulating all week that Jones would be let go if he got a job as a starter elsewhere.
In Memphis he would only have been for 25 games, that’s how long superstar Ja Morant will be missing after his renewed weapon scandal. Instead, the Grizzlies now have a player in Smart who kills two birds with one stone. The 29-year-old will initially replace Morant and can play at his side after his return and take over the role of Dillon Brooks, who will not be given a new contract in Memphis.
Smart is another ball handler for the Grizzlies and should relieve Morant and Desmond Bane. Of course, Smart is not immune to a sometimes questionable throw selection like Brooks, but the former Celtic is not a gunner and has now proven over the years that he can deliver in the playoffs, while Brooks was hardly playable in the past postseason and got into pointless trash -Did up talk tirades.
© getty
Another factor for the Grizzlies is Smart’s contract. This runs until 2026 and is quite moderate for a starter. The core stands with Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bane, the latter can negotiate a rookie extension this offseason, while Morant’s maximum contract begins July 1.
Smart makes this team more expensive, but it also brings much-needed leadership skills. That too may have been a factor in why Memphis gave up two low first rounders. Morant, in particular, needs a veteran (or better yet, a babysitter) to guide him, as the past few months have clearly shown. Brooks obviously wasn’t.
The picks were kind of bearable, too, as the Grizzlies continue to hold all of their own picks after this draft. Jones’ exit should be catchable because, as mentioned, there should be enough ball handling with three guards. But Smart doesn’t solve the Grizzlies’ shooting problem, so this isn’t a move that makes Memphis an absolute contender.
Memphis Grizzlies: All contracts for the upcoming season
Spieler (Alter)Position23/2424/2525/2626/2727/28Ja Morant (23)Guard33,536,238,941,544,2Jaren Jackson Jr. (23)Forward27,125,323,4UFA-Marcus Smart (29)Guard18,620,021,3UFA-Luke Kennard (26)Guard15,415,4**—Steven Adams (29)Center12,612,6UFA–Brandon Clarke (26)Forward12,512,512,512,5UFAZiaire Williams (21)Forward4,86,1**—Desmond Bane (24)Guard3,8RFA—Jake LaRavia (21)Forward3,23,4**5,2**RFA-David Roddy (22)Forward2,72,8**4,8**RFA-John Konchar (27)Forward2,46,26,26,2UFASanti Aldama (22)Forward2,23,9**RFA–Xavier Tillman (24)Center1,9**UFA—Kenneth Lofton (20)Forward1,72,0***2,2**RFA-
* Player option, ** Team option, *** Not guaranteed or only partially guaranteed, UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent, RFA = Restricted Free Agent
© getty
The Kristaps Porzingis trade: The Celtics’ perspective
It’s quite amazing. The Wizards have now traded two (former) All-Stars in Beal and Porzingis and didn’t get a first-round pick for it. It is possible that this will still happen when it becomes clear how things will continue with Chris Paul. As already mentioned, there is still the possibility that these two trades are linked together in order to pass Paul on in this transaction.
The Clippers, for example, would be a candidate for such a gigantic trade, also because Wizards boss Michael Winger was still working for the Californians until a few weeks ago and CP3 is said to be interested in a reunion with coach Ty Lue’s team.
But have the Wizards sold themselves short? Possibly, but as with Beal, Washington was in an extremely bad negotiating position as the Latvian could have easily opted out of his contract. The Wizards get a solid starter in Jones (27), who was already associated with Washington last year.
© getty
Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala’s contracts are incidental, neither will play a major role for the Wizards. But it should also be clear that Washington is not finished yet. The fact alone that the Wizards currently employ four point guards (CP3, Jones, Delon Wright, Monté Morris) speaks for this.
For Washington, more important than picks right now is that the franchise’s direction is clear. Rebuilding is a priority and the books have already been largely emptied. The Wizards can still get more picks in the coming weeks and months if they agree to take on bad contracts. This will also be necessary because the new CBA stipulates that all teams must use at least 90 percent of their salary cap, otherwise they will be excluded from the distribution of luxury taxpayer money.
Washington Wizards: All contracts for the upcoming season
Spieler (Alter)Position23/2424/2525/2626/27Chris Paul (38)Guard30,830,0***UFA-Tyus Jones (27)Guard14,0UFA–Daniel Gafford (24)Center12,413,414,4UFALandry Shamet (26)Guard10,311,0***11,8**UFAMonté Morris (27)Guard9,8UFA–Delon Wright (31)Guard8,2UFA–Danilo Gallinari (34)Forward6,8UFA Deni Avdija (22)Forward6,3RFA–Johnny Davis (21)Guard5,15,3**6,7**RFACorey Kispert (24)Forward3,75,7**RFA-Mike Muscala (32)Center3,5UFA–Anthony Gill (30)Forward2,0UFA–Xavier Cooks (27)Forward1,72,0***2,2**UFA
* Player option, ** Team option, *** Not guaranteed or only partially guaranteed, UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent, RFA = Restricted Free Agent
2023-06-22 16:44:51
#Kristaps #Porzingis #Boston #Celtics #trade #deal #analysis
