UPDATE: Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, this one fell through:
The three-team talks on a Porzingis-Brogdon deal with Celtics, Wizards and Clippers have fallen apart, sources tell ESPN. Sides are moving on. https://t.co/WoNkOcTYe5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023
But also:
The Wizards are still working on ways to get Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics in an opt-in and trade scenario, but it won't be in a three-way with the Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Porzingis still has the ability to decline his $36 million player option and become a free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023
We’ve got ourselves a reported three-way NBA trade in the works before the 2023 draft, and it’s an intriguing one involving two probable playoff squads and a rebuilding franchise that’s made a bunch of headlines lately.
The big names? Kristaps Porzingis, who will join his fourth NBA franchise after spending his first eight seasons in New York, Dallas and Washington. And then there’s Malcolm Brogdon, who just won Sixth Man of the Year in Boston.
News of the deal as it was coming together dropped on Thursday, so we’ll grade it in its current state, and will update when it’s truly finalized. Let’s dive in:
The reported deal
Again, it’s incomplete and the details are still coming in as of publishing. But, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Celtics get: Kristaps Porzingis
Clippers get: Malcolm Brogdon
Wizards get: Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, Clippers’ 2023 first-round pick (30th overall)
Boston Celtics
My first reaction: Why trade Brogdon, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year who played so well for the Celtics last season?
Then again, Porzingis was REALLY good for the Wizards and played 65 games last year. Health is key for the stretch 4, and he’s a player who can add a floor-expanding element to a team that needs it, giving them another weapon to add to a core with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Derrick White. That said, this feels like it can’t be the only move Boston will make this offseason.
For now, it’s a good one in a vacuum. If Porzingis did what he did last year, it could be REALLY good.
GRADE: B+
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have a roster that could compete for the West title … but if Paul George and Kawhi Leonard don’t stay healthy, it’s tough to think about that.
So maybe the plan is to shove all-in and try to compete with a more talented supporting cast (could Chris Paul be a part of that down the road?). And Brogdon is definitely the right idea. There’s no need for the first-rounder, and Brogdon is an upgrade for sure. I dig it.
GRADE: B+
Washington Wizards
A few things to think about here: Do Gallinari and Morris get bought out? Traded again? Would Porzingis have opted in with the Wizards given that they look like they’re heading toward tanking?
So, getting a first-rounder and some vets they could deal or buy out was a good move.
GRADE: B+
