Boston Celtics Make Huge Swing, Trade Key Player for Kristaps Porzingis
Key Highlights :
The Boston Celtics have made a huge swing on Wednesday evening, trading away a key player in Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal that brings Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. The Celtics will also receive two first-round picks, including the 25th selection in Thursday night's NBA Draft.
The move is a somewhat risky one for the Celtics, as they are trading away their leader in Smart and replacing him with a one-year rental in Porzingis. The 7'3 shooter had his best year of his career, averaging 23 points, eight assists and two blocks a game. He provides rim protection and outside shooting for the team.
The Celtics will also have to prioritize Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the next two years, meaning that Porzingis' time in Boston may be short-lived. It was a tough decision for the Celtics to pull the trigger on the trade, as Smart had been with the team since 2014 and had become an instant fan favorite.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will be acquiring the perfect complement player to go alongside star scorers in Ja Morant and Desmond Bane at the guard positions, with Smart able to handle the defensive load for the team. The Wizards have given away a few picks to make the move happen, as they look to be rebuilding their roster - after already moving on from Bradley Beal, with Kyle Kuzma also expected to become a free agent.
The Celtics have made a bold move in trading for Porzingis, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the long run. Smart was a fan favorite and a leader on the team, and the Celtics will need to find a way to replace his production and leadership. Porzingis is a talented player, but it remains to be seen if he can help the Celtics reach their goals this season.
