Wednesday was an eventful day for the Boston Celtics, who were reported to be very deep into trade talks for former All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis. They finally pulled off the trade, but Celtics fans certainly didn’t expect to give up who they did in the move.
Initially, a deal was almost in place that would have sent Wizards star Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics, Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers, and Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, and the No. 30 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to the Wizards.
That deal ended up falling apart after reports emerged that the Clippers were concerned about Malcolm Brogdon’s injury status.
Concerns raised by the Clippers about Malcolm Brogdon's injury status, league sources say, led to the collapse of the three-team trade expected to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston before midnight tonight.
A direct Wizards/Celtics deal has not been ruled out.
More NBA from me:
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2023
Even though that move didn’t pan out, the Celtics still went ahead and found another way to bring in Porzingis.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the Celtics had agreed to a three-team trade to acquire Porzingis, where they will be giving up Marcus Smart in return.
The Celtics are trading Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies as part of deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023
The Celtics will be getting Kristaps Porzingis, the No. 25 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and a 2024 first-round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will be getting Marcus Smart. And the Wizards will receive the No. 35 pick in the upcoming draft along with Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, and Mike Muscala.
Washington is completing a three-way deal with Boston and Memphis that will send guard Tyus Jones to the Wizards, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/tQgoW60nQz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023
The Wizards are acquiring Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala in the deal too, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023
Bringing in Porzingis is obviously a huge move for Boston, but losing a former Defensive Player of the Year like Marcus Smart could potentially be a huge loss.
Many around the NBA world took to social media to offer their immediate reaction to the news.
Brad Stevens really landed Kristaps Porzingis and 2 first-round picks for Marcus Smart
Insane haul pic.twitter.com/OA2NikqCV1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 22, 2023
Ja Morant and Marcus Smart are now teammates 👀 pic.twitter.com/17ENs7CR3H
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 22, 2023
New look Grizzlies:
Ja Morant
Marcus Smart
Desmond Bane
Jaren Jackson Jr
Steven AdamsHow many NBA starting 5s are better? pic.twitter.com/lsIgbAGuaJ
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 22, 2023
For a team that said they wanted to get back to defense and moving the ball I have to say I'm confused how that is achieved by trading Marcus Smart and keeping Malcolm Brogdon
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) June 22, 2023
Marcus Smart as a Celtic:
— 10.6 PPG
— 4.6 APG
— 1.6 SPG
— DPOYTop 3 in points, assists, steals and 3-pointers for the Celtics since being drafted in 2014. pic.twitter.com/ciKu12AGWE
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 22, 2023
I ain’t never thought Marcus Smart would get traded, NBA is cutthroat.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 22, 2023
Smart was largely seen as the heart and soul of some very good Celtics teams in past years, so it will be very interesting to see how their fare without him.
[Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter]
