NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Boston Celtics pulled off the second shocker of the offseason when news broke that they would acquire Kristapas Porzingis in a 3-team deal that will involve the Washington Wizards and the Memphis Grizzlies. This was a great move and may turn out to be better than Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns.
For whatever reason, many are still not sold on Porzingis. To be fair to the critics, the talent is there it’s just been his knack for not being on the floor for an entire season. Last season for the Wizards, Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while hitting .498 percent from the floor. While he’s not the cornerstone the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks hoped he would be, Porzingis has carved out a pretty solid NBA career so far.
In Boston, Porzingis will have his best chance to add to his legacy. But why all the hate regarding this trade? Some say this was a stupid move by the Celtics while others are calling it one hell of a gamble. I’m confused, how is this move any different than what the Clippers did with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard? Look at the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Hell, MVP Joel Embiid only played 68 games for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. But Kristaps Porzingis is being dragged through the mud.
The Boston Celtics received Kristaps Porzingis, the 25th pick in the 2023 Draft, and a 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected, via Warriors) while they handed over Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies, and the Wizards receive Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the 35th pick in the 2023 Draft. But fans are in an uproar. While Smart has played well for the Celtics, he does carry a $19M per year salary and with Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Malcolm Brogdon, Smart became disposable.
Are The Celtics Better With Kristaps Porzingis
The deal for Porzingis upgrades the front court. The Celtics used a platoon of Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams. That foursome helped lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals the last 2 seasons but no ring to show for it.
Horford is not getting any younger and there are questions regarding the health of Robert Williams. Then you add into account that Williams (Grant) is a free agent and the Celtics may not be able to retain him. This deal for Porzingis is good on many levels.
The Celtics will throw out a versatile starting frontcourt that will include Tatum, Porzingis, and possibly either Williams or Horford. And if they want to go quicker, they could always move Porzingis to Center and place Derrick White at SG and move Jaylen Brown to SF.
For fans, they have grown close to the old Boston Celtics team which Smart was a catalyst for. But now, Porzingis fills a hole that fans did not want to admit was an issue. The Celtics needed size and someone who can be a rim protector in the paint. But most of all, they needed a solid and steady 3rd scorer. Porzingis checks all those boxes for the Celtics. But the best part is, the Celtics will still have the services of Williams (Robert) and Horford. This is a win-win for the team.
Porzingis will carry a hefty price tag but that’s the cost of paying to win in this league. Some team was going to be the one to fit the bill, fans are just mad it’s the Celtics, that’s all.
How can adding a player who averaged close to a double-double and shot .385 percent from deep be considered a bad move? In a conference where teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia are all vying for a shot, the Boston Celtics took a swing for the fences that others on that list have already taken in the last 2-3 years.
