Some Boston Celtics fans are worried about the trade that sent out Marcus Smart to bring in Kristaps Porzingis after the latter’s foot injury. However, not everyone is down on the move. Among them is former NBAer and current NBC Sports Washington broadcaster Drew Gooden, who shared his view of the trade in a recent interview with Bally Sports’ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
“I like Porzingis (in Boston) because they didn’t have to give up too many pieces,” he said. “I know Marcus Smart was a huge, huge, HUGE emotional piece I would say that you cannot probably replace.”
“But when you get a guy like Porzingis who ultimately can play alongside Jaylen (Brown) and you already know who else is over there in (Jayson) Tatum. … I say they’re going to be a tough team to beat in the East.”
Celtics Lab 211: Hoops Hall happenings, Harden holdouts, and player rankings with Ronnie 2K https://t.co/F943dTSHdr via @thecelticswire pic.twitter.com/MRYKGFAspe
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 15, 2023
Given that the most important ability the Latvian big man can bring to the team is his availability, Porzingis’ decision to sit out the 2023 FIBA World Cup should go a long way toward ensuring he is able to play next to Tatum and Brown this season.
Something, it seems, Gooden is already a believer in.
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