The Boston Celtics have shaken up their roster in a somewhat risky move as they have traded for Kristaps Porzingis will sending Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Celtics will also receive two first-round picks, including the 25th selection in Thursday night's NBA Draft, while moving Smart, Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala as part of the three-team deal.
Porzingis joins the Celtics on the back of his best year of his career, bouncing back from a few tough years with the Dallas Mavericks. The 7'3 shooter averaged 23 points, eight assists and two blocks a game - providing rim protection and outside shooting for the team.
Porzingis joining the Celtics is likely to be a one-year rental, with the Latvian star set to become a free agent next summer - while the Celtics will also have to prioritise Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the next two years. But it would have been a tough decision for the Celtics to pull the trigger on the trade - moving on from their leader in Smart.
Drafted in 2014, Smart became an instant fan favourite - making countless defensive plays in important playoff games throughout the years.
Smart had been linked with a move away for the past few seasons, but would have known a trade could have been likely this off-season with the Celtics having too many options at the point guard position - especially after the emergence of Derrick White.
It did appear that the C's had struck a deal that would see them keep Smart. An hour before the three-team trade with the Wizards and Clippers was announced, it had been heavily reported that the Clippers would take Malcolm Brogdon while still sending Porzingis to Boston. However, the Clippers pulled out of the deal.
The Grizzlies will be acquiring the perfect compliment player to go alongside star scorers in Ja Morant and Desmond Bane at the guard positions, with Smart able to handle the defensive load for the team.
The Wizards have given away a few picks to make the move happen, as they look to be rebuilding their roster - after already moving on from Bradley Beal, with Kyle Kuzma also expected to become a free agent.
Trade in full
Celtics receive: Kristaps Porzingis, No. 25 overall pick, 2024 first-round pick
Grizzlies receive: Marcus Smart
Wizards receive: No. 35 overall pick, Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala
