Washington Wizards Reportedly Trading Kristaps Porzingis to Boston Celtics; Marcus Smart to Memphis Grizzlies
The Washington Wizards have reportedly agreed to trade center Kristaps Porzingis with the Boston Celtics. This trade is part of a three-team arrangement involving Marcus Smart sent to the Memphis Grizzlies. Sources revealed this information on Thursday morning.
The sources requested anonymity as official announcements regarding the agreements are not around yet. As part of the trade, Kristaps Porzingis has decided to exercise his player option for the upcoming season.
Trade Details and Players Involved
In addition to the trade involving Kristaps Porzingis, the agreement includes the Memphis Grizzlies acquiring Marcus Smart, named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, from the Boston Celtics. The Celtics, in return, will receive first-round draft picks in 2023 and 2024. According to ESPN, the Washington Wizards will also acquire Tyus Jones from Memphis, Mike Muscala, and Danilo Gallinari, and a second-round pick from Boston in the current year.
Impact on Teams and Players
The Celtics, coming off their loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, have bolstered their team by acquiring the 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis had a successful season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 23.2 points per game and 8.4 rebounds. He played in 66 games, the most since his time with the New York Knicks in the 2016-17 season.
With Porzingis leaving, it signifies a significant shift in the core players of the Washington Wizards lineup. Before this trade, the Wizards had already agreed to trade Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns, and Kyle Kuzma chose not to exercise his option. Under the leadership of new team president Michael Winger, Washington is now clearly focused on rebuilding after missing the playoffs in the past two seasons.
Marcus Smart, who has been with the Boston Celtics for all nine of his NBA seasons, is the team’s longest-tenured player and a strong presence in the locker room. He holds notable rankings in the franchise’s history, currently ranking fourth in both 3-pointers made (911) and assists (2,700). With Smart’s departure, the Celtics will rely on Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, as top contenders to fill his position.
More about the team
Smart’s arrival in Memphis brings valuable experience to a young team that needs assistance at the point guard position, especially with the recent announcement of Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension for the upcoming season. Smart’s postseason experience will also be an asset to the Grizzlies, who have only won a single playoff series despite finishing second in the Western Conference for the past two seasons.
Despite the talented duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics could not return to the NBA Finals this season after their appearance in 2022.
This trade marks Kristaps Porzingis’ fourth team in the NBA. His initial draft was by the New York Knicks with the fourth overall pick in 2015, and he played three seasons with them before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019 while recovering from knee surgery. The Washington Wizards acquired him from the Mavericks approximately 16 months ago.
