With the 2023-24 NBA regular season rapidly approaching, rosters around the association are beginning to take form. Save a few pending trade requests or free agent signings, the landscape for next year is coming into focus. As such, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley identified each club’s best new weapon for the 2023-24 season. His selection for the Boston Celtics comes as no surprise.
According to Buckley, no Celtics newcomer has the potential for a big impact next year than big man Kristaps Porzingis. Boston traded for the former All-Star back in June, giving head coach Joe Mazzulla a new weapon to ponder. Porzingis is an offensive unicorn with lots of defensive potential. Buckley believes the Celts are hoping for big things from Porzingis.
“They expect big things out of the big fella,” Buckley wrote. “And as long as he stays healthy, he has a real chance to meet or even exceed those expectations.”
The Boston Celtics’ schedule for the NBA’s 2023-24 season has been released, featuring a number of notable games and matchups for fans of the storied ball club to watch out for. https://t.co/F196rWia4F
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 21, 2023
Trading for Porzingis was the the splashiest offseason move for the Celtics, but he’s not the only new face in the locker room. Boston will be welcoming forward Oshae Brissett, guard Dalano Banton, and rookie Jordan Walsh, among others. Perhaps one of these three will prove to be the most impactful new member of the team.
Porzingis is, however, a former All-Star, and clearly has the most upside. Last year with the Washington Wizards the Latvia native averaged 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. As Buckley noted, he was also one of the most efficient and consistent players in the NBA as well. Porzingis also shot 38.5% from 3 on 5.5 attempts per game. His ability to light it up from deep could be particularly useful playing for coach Mazzulla.
Can Banton, Walsh, and Porzingis can actually achieve such lofty expectations with Boston in their first season playing for the Celtics? https://t.co/RjvtZMpBvs
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 21, 2023
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