Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Celtics are getting a unique talent in Kristaps Porzingis

By Alan Nahigian

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 13, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 13, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There’s two sides to every trade. For the Boston Celtics, everyone is focusing on only one side at the moment.

Early Thursday morning, the Celtics traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a blockbuster three team trade. Fans are upset about seeing Smart gone, and rightfully so!

But a lot of fans are forgetting the other side of this trade. The Celtics received Kristaps Porzingis and two first round picks from the Washington Wizards.

Now the first round picks are huge in their own way, don’t get me wrong! But people aren’t realizing the benefit of having Kristaps Porzingis now in the fold.

Allow me to elaborate just how significant getting Porzingis to Boston is for this Celtics team!

Boston Celtics improving their front court with Kristaps Porzingis

One of the big weaknesses the Celtics had last season was a lack of depth in the front court. Now? The Celtics just got a lot better.

Porzingis is 7-foot-3 inches, but he isn’t your prototypical big man. He likes to shoot from the outside and shot 39 percent from three point land last season. The Latvian big man averaged 23 points a game for the Wizards last season.

He also gives the Celtics another rebounder. Porzingis averaged eight rebounds a game. Now, that isn’t double-double type of numbers, but it gives the Celtics another option down low on the boards.

What’s good too about Kristaps Porzingis is that he can spread the floor and actually make life easier for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. If both of them are sitting, he can score from the inside and the outside.

Boston Celtics (potentially) adding more than just Kristaps Porzingis

The Celtics are not done with their moves yet. At least that’s what a lot of fans are saying after the Porzingis move.

Chowder And Champions
Chowder And Champions /

Want your voice heard? Join the Chowder And Champions team!

Write for us!

Obviously with the departure of Marcus Smart and the health concerns of Malcolm Brogdon, another guard will be brought into the mix. Whether that is via the NBA draft, free agency, or another huge trade; the Celtics won’t stop at just adding Porzingis.

Like we mentioned before, Kristaps brings a unique skill set and can help you defensively, especially on the pick and roll. But will the Celtics continue to shape up some different pieces for next season? Yes, absolutely!

The bottom line with the Boston Celtics and Kristaps Porzingis

If he can stay healthy, Kristaps Porzingis can be a huge help for the Boston Celtics.

Next. 4 prospects Celtics should draft in 2023 NBA Draft. dark

Again, the key thing here is if the big man can stay healthy. The scary thing is that Porzingis has never played a full 82 game season in his career.

Yes, the Marcus Smart leaving part is a bitter pill to swallow. But when you take a step back and realize you got Porzingis and the two picks, it makes for good value in this deal.

The $36 million option for Porzingis is a bit alarming as well. But you hope you get everything you can out of him for a year and then you could potentially move on from him.

In Brad we trust…I guess?

Home/Boston Celtics