WELL WELL WELL.
I went to bed like many of you thinking that a much-discussed, seemingly nearly-at-the-finish-line deal between the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers was very much dead.
But then I woke up and … Kristaps Porzingis is back to being a Celtic. They REALLY wanted him, I guess!
And Marcus Smart is now a member of the Memphis Grizzlies?! That’s VERY different and changes this deal, so it’s time for a fresh set of trade grades to see who won and lost in this deal.
Let’s dive into this one as we get ready for the 2023 NBA Draft:
The details
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Celtics get: Kristaps Porzingis, 2023 first-round pick from Grizzlies (25th overall), Warriors’ first-round pick in 2024 (top-four protected)
Wizards get: Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, Celtics second-round pick (35th overall)
Grizzlies get: Marcus Smart
Boston Celtics
I wrote this on Wednesday when I thought it was Porzingis to Boston:
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.
Uh, yeah. About that Smart guy …
I still think this is an impact deal for Boston. Losing Smart and his defense might hurt more, but Porzingis could be the key to opening up the offense for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
GRADE: B
Memphis Grizzlies
OH MY.
Did Memphis need yet another tough defender on a team full of them? Heck no.
Is it an upgrade that will make them scarier? Heck yes.
I LOVE this move for them. A nightmare team to face gets more nightmarish.
GRADE: A-
Washington Wizards
Let’s see: Would I rather have had Marcus Morris in the previous deal that fell apart? Or a promising young point guard who has shown flashes of starter-level talent when Ja Morant has been out?
Yep, I agree. Option No. 2 is the way to go. Instead of losing Porzingis for nothing, they get a seriously good return.
GRADE: A-
