The Boston Celtics got a good grade for their trade for Kristaps Porzingis this past NBA offseason. And given the deal was a significant part of the Celtics finally breaking through to win Banner 18 after several near misses over the past few years, it is hard to make a case that they should not.
Bleacher Report NBA analyst Zach Buckley recently laid out why Boston’s front office should be held in high esteem for pulling the trigger on a risky move that also sent a beloved player to another team. “Hoops historians will, of course, wonder how the (Celtics) were allowed to commit legalized larceny,” writes Buckley.
“Between the massive impact Porzingis made on arrival and the struggles of (Marcus) Smart to find his footing … outside of Boston, folks will never believe the Celtics walked away from this deal with a pair of first-round picks, too,” he adds.
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The deal was not without its faults — KP did miss more of the 2024 NBA Playoffs than he appeared in — but “this is a trade that Boston would make 11 times out of 10 if given the opportunity,” says the B/R analyst, even considering how his current recovery from surgery will have him out months.
“The Celtics viewed him as their potential missing piece, and that’s exactly how he looked whenever he suited up … it’s hard to find many faults with this move.”
Final grade? A well-deserved A-.
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