After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in both of the last two seasons and losing in the NBA Finals in 2022, the Boston Celtics felt something needed to be done to get over the hump and recapture their former glory.
They had a very good roster centered around stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. But instead of adding to that core, they made a major change to it.
In late June, Boston traded Smart, as well as veteran sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari, in a three-team deal that brought them big man Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis has been an intriguing player ever since he was the No. 4 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, and his talent and skill have always been tantalizing.
However, he has been injury-prone, and he hasn’t appeared in at least 70 games since his rookie year.
While some have been wondering what in the world the Celtics were thinking were they dealt Smart, who to an extent was their heart and soul, others feel it was a deft deal that can elevate them.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis & Boston Celtics Updates
When healthy, Porzingis is a bona fide star, and he can restore Celtics greatness by contributing in three areas.
In the NBA of the past 15 years or so, teams have generally needed three star-level players in order to win the world championship. Over the last couple of years, the Celtics have fallen short of that mountaintop in large reason because they just haven’t had enough firepower.
Last season, they battled back from a 3-0 series deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals to force a Game 7 at home versus the Miami Heat. But despite having seemingly everything going for them going into that contest, they scored only 84 points and lost in blowout fashion.
Porzingis has a career average of 19.6 points a game, and last season he put up 23.2 points a game with the Washington Wizards. He also shot 49.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range, so he should be able to make opponents pay for keying on Tatum and Brown.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis & Boston Celtics Updates
The Latvia native has always been a capable shot-blocker throughout his NBA career. He has a lifetime average of 1.8 blocks a game, and last season he contributed 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals a game.
The Celtics have won mainly with defense in recent years, and they may be hard-pressed to continue to do so without Smart. Porzingis’ ability to protect the rim and deter dribble penetration will help, as well as allow their perimeter defenders to be a little more aggressive knowing they have Porzingis near the hoop to cover them should they get beat.
One significant weakness Boston has is a lack of bench depth. Other than Brogdon, assuming he continues to come off the bench, the team doesn’t have any reserves who are real scoring threats other than hitting the occasional spot-up 3-pointer.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis & Boston Celtics Updates
With Porzingis on board, head coach Joe Mazzulla can arrange his rotations so that at least two of his three stars are always on the floor at all times, unless it is garbage time. That should alleviate the concern or threat of prolonged dry spells, especially in big games.
The Celtics may not be able to score 120 points a game, but they should have plenty of firepower, at least in their starting lineup, if they stay healthy. Of course, that is always the big concern with Porzingis.
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