One of the lingering concerns of the three-team trade that sent Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics to the Memphis Grizzlies for Washington Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis has been the fact that the Latvian center is currently in the last year of his last contract after opting into his player option. But new reporting from Substack’s Marc Stein suggests that worry may soon be addressed by Boston.
“The Celtics,” reports Stein, “are strongly expected to tack two years onto Porzingis’ contract this summer. The 27-year-old is eligible for a maximum two-year extension worth $77 million that could take his total compensation in green well past $100 million.”
“Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens backed up that idea Friday at his first post-trade media availability when he said ‘we hope so’ when asked about extending Porziņģis’ contract beyond next season,” added the Substack journalist.
Emergency podding to talk over the unexpected Smart news, and what it means for the team, for fans, and for the future. https://t.co/vsQcPcd6AU
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 24, 2023
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