The Boston Celtics have rolled the dice on a three-team trade that netted them Washington Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis and a pair of first-round draft picks in exchange for sending veteran Celtics floor general Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
For many fans of the Celtics, the swap was a gut punch given the deep ties Boston fans have had with the team’s longest-tenured Celtic over nearly a decade. Others are scratching their head as they try to understand how Boston managed to walk away with not only the better player in the deal but also a small haul in draft assets as well.
What are NBA analysts saying about the deal from their points of view? Let’s take a look at the gamut.
Emergency podding to talk over the unexpected Smart news, and what it means for the team, for fans, and for the future. https://t.co/fRnDRSfhIe
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
John Hollinger, The Athletic
“I actually like this deal for all three teams,” writes Hollinger.
The Boston Celtics are bringing aboard Kristaps Porzingis next season, but sending Marcus Smart to Memphis in the process as part of a blockbuster deal with the Wizards and Grizzlies. https://t.co/lz0VwlSFIe
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“From Boston’s perspective, it’s kind of wild that they get the best player in the deal and two firsts, and it speaks to what a great contract Smart has.”
Michael Pina, The Ringer
“Boston’s return was plenty fair (Two firsts? In this economy?), but the impetus of the deal was less about bettering a championship-caliber basketball team than about managing a looming financial strain brought on by the NBA’s draconian collective bargaining agreement,” suggests Pina.
A sign and trade might be just what both teams are after, but it won’t happen before the draft from the sound of things. https://t.co/8NcKOUGYwJ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“On the whole, this trade nudged all the participants in the direction they want to go. At the same time, all three are probably looking at themselves in the mirror, realizing they have a lot more work to do over the next few weeks.”
Chris Herring, Sports Illustrated
“The upside of Porziņģis is clear: He not only gives Boston another enormous rim protector but also provides a 20-to-25 point-per-game scorer who’s comfortable scoring from just about anywhere, despite being a 7-footer …,” shares Herring.
Marcus Smart is headed to Memphis and Kristaps Porzingis is headed to Boston as part of a surprising blockbuster trade for the Celtics. Here’s what we know so far. https://t.co/UtYYkRyBmP
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“That’s why it’s so stunning to see Boston moving on from Smart, even if it ultimately works out for the Celtics: For years, he’s been pretty damn close to a sure thing for a franchise that desperately needed one. To trade away the team’s heart and soul at such a critical moment is an enormous risk.”
Zach Harper, The Athletic
“The Celtics have options, as long as Porziņģis is healthy, and that’s the part that could worry you. Since the ACL injury that cost him well over 100 games from 2017 to 2019, Porziņģis has missed 95 games in four seasons. That’s a lot of missed time. On a one-year rental, even at $36 million, it’s a risk you can take with the depth the Celtics have,” posits Harper, who grades the deal an “A”.
The Clippers have reportedly pulled out of the three-team trade centered around Malcom Brogdon and Kristaps Porzingis because of injury concerns while Boston and Washington pursue other routes. https://t.co/3Zxu6gtAQU
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“That they upgraded 10 spots in this draft and got a first-round pick in next year’s draft is pretty ridiculous.”
Jay King, The Athletic
“Losing Smart won’t just be a big deal on the court, but also in the locker room. He brought a toughness to the Celtics. He became a solid point guard and one of the team’s best passers,” recalls King.
The Celtics may not send any picks in this scenario with early reporting suggesting draft compensation coming from Los Angeles in the proposed deal. https://t.co/7OD7huFDdc
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“He always brought energy. Every day, for nine straight years, Smart’s voice could be heard. It was often louder than any other. … No recent Celtics player had more heart than Smart. The impact of his departure will be significant, but it’s tough to argue against a trade that delivered Boston two first-round picks and potentially a third star.”
Bobby Krivitsky, Sports Illustrated
“Porzingis is also an impactful defender that’s effective in drop coverage. His blocks don’t fully capture that, but he swatted 1.5 shots per contest last season and averages just under two per game for his career,” relates Krivitsky.
Beyond the obvious, the ripple effects could be huge. https://t.co/7Rd8UqbgsQ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“The 7-foot-3 center can pair well with Horford and Williams at both ends of the floor.”
Matt Vatour, MassLive
“If he’s healthy (a caveat that’s going to come up a lot with him), Kristaps Porzingis has a chance to be an outstanding fit. Derrick White looks ready to take on more. If he stays, Malcolm Brogdon’s role and leadership could likely expand, too,” suggests Vatour.
The Danilo Gallinari era of the Boston Celtics might be coming to an end before the Italian swingman even steps on the court. https://t.co/ywSyZeciVR
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 21, 2023
“But Smart will be missed. He was the first building block of the building project that led to the Celtics being an annual contender. What his teammates gained from his big brotherly nature will stick with them allowing Smart’s impact to outlast his time in Boston.”
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
“Boston somehow managed to acquire both the best player in this deal and two firsts. The Celtics have the capital to keep making moves. If there’s one thing you can definitively say about Brad Stevens, Mike Zarren and this Celtics front office, it’s that they know how to make a big move at good value,” offers Weiss.
Per the Globe, “financial obligations will not guide the roster decisions”. https://t.co/OzxUNU037c
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“Compared to how the Wizards have butchered this rebuild to historic proportions — getting rid of their two best players and not even managing to secure a first-round pick a year after Rudy Freaking Gobert went for five picks — the Celtics front office comes off strong.”
Souichi Terada, MassLive
“From a basketball standpoint, the Celtics come away winners. But how Smart’s departure will affect team chemistry going forward remains to be seen,” writes Terada.
The trade also impacts the Celtics’ future decisions regarding player contracts. https://t.co/rpfJoG8mMX
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“Porzingis should fit in well on the Celtics, even with the durability concerns. Considering the cost of the trade, the front office also likely views him as part of the future beyond just a one-year rental.”
Jeff Clark, Celtics Blog
“As of now, we’re counting on Malcolm Brogdon, Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams and Al Horford to stay relatively healthy. That’s a huge risk. Of course, it isn’t hard to close your eyes and imagine Porzingis unlocking the offense in new ways and providing another rim protector in the paint,” observes Clark.
It depends on who you ask, it seems. https://t.co/HYWUeo2Ur1
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“I’m going to keep going back and forth like this for the rest of the day if not the rest of the summer. There’s a lot of time to digest it, but right now it feels very raw. Ultimately we’ll know if this was a good trade or a bad trade when we see how the next few seasons play out. Right now I’m just bracing for whatever comes next.”
Lauren Campbell, MassLive
“While the addition of Porzingis helps at the center position, he’s been injury-prone throughout his career. Robert Williams has also dealt with his fair share of injuries during his time with the Celtics, and Al Horford just turned 37,” notes Campbell.
The Celtics sent their heart-and-soul point guard to the Grizzlies for two first round picks and Porzingis. https://t.co/rd9aDsP8Zr
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 22, 2023
“Luke Kornet is the depth piece for the frontcourt. A sign and trade could be on the table for Boston, and the team could retain Grant Williams. But it’s fair to wonder if the Celtics will use their draft picks to help address those needs.”
Bill Sy, Celtics Blog
“Porzingis will have an immediate impact in Boston next season, but tonight, the headline for fans is the Celtics parting ways with Marcus Smart. As the longest-tenured Celtic who spent his entire nine-year career in Boston and absolutely represented Celtic Pride on and off the floor, this is a gut punch,” recounts Sy.
Emergency @CelticsLab recorded late last night
Chatted with @JackSimoneNBA about Marcus Smart’s departure, Kristaps Porzingis’ arrival, and what happens next.
Sponsored by:@FDSportsbook | @betterhelp https://t.co/132V8KHjT3
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) June 22, 2023
“Replacing his production is doable. Replacing the man, his leadership, his hustle, his everything seems impossible tonight. Love and trust. Always.”
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