An anonymous member of the Boston Celtics told NBA writer Keith Smith of Spotrac that the franchise traded Marcus Smart and Grant Williams and acquired Kristaps Porzingis to “become a different kind of team.”
The Celtics traded Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and Williams to the Dallas Mavericks and acquired Porzingis from the Washington Wizards.
“We’re going to miss Marcus,” the anonymous member of the Celtics said. “We’re going to miss Grant. But we had to become a different kind of team. Getting KP is huge for us. Literally and figuratively. He’s going to make a massive difference for our offense. And he’s come a long way with his defense too.”
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. It will be fascinating to see how many games Boston wins next season. A Big 3 of Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown looks good on paper, but games are won between the lines.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Marcus Smart, Kristaps Porzingis Updates
Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks 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. The All-Star forward has career averages of 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Wizards.
There should be more driving lanes for Tatum and Brown next season since Porzingis can space the floor with his shooting. When Porzingis goes beyond the 3-point line, he will bring his defender with him, which will create more room in the paint for Tatum and Brown.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Marcus Smart, Kristaps Porzingis Updates
The Celtics drafted Smart with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Oklahoma State. The 29-year-old averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 581 games with Boston while shooting 38.6% from the field, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 77.7% from the free-throw line.
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