The Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards are discussing a Kristaps Porzingis trade, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Porzingis has a player option worth $36 million for next season. The Celtics and Wizards are talking about a potential opt-in-and-trade deal.
Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Wizards in 2022-23. He shot 49.8% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 85.1% from the free-throw line.
Gio Rivera of NESN thinks Porzingis would be a “huge” upgrade over veteran forward Al Horford.
“No, he’s not the same must-watch “unicorn” talent he once was in a New York Knicks jersey, but that isn’t what the Celtics would need,” Rivera wrote. “Porzingis is still an elite-level front-court threat with the ability to protect the glass and score, leading the Wizards in both points (23.2) and rebounds (8.4). Obviously, there’s the salary factor in place that won’t complicate this hypothetical trade target, but the 27-year-old would be a huge upgrade from the cement-footed Al Horford, who is far beyond his prime and got exposed for his age all throughout the playoffs.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards & Boston Celtics Updates
Porzingis has career averages of 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Wizards. Washington has already traded All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet.
Many rival executives The Athletic’s Josh Robbins has polled informally over the last few weeks expect new Wizards president Michael Winger to undertake a full rebuild. Trading Beal reinforced that.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards & Boston Celtics Updates
Boston lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games after reaching the NBA Finals last season. A Big 3 of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Porzingis could potentially do some damage in the Eastern Conference next season. The Celtics are expected to sign Brown to the supermax extension this offseason.
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