There is a saying in today’s world, ‘insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” The Boston Celtics fell short of a championship last season, and most fans agreed that something had to change if this team was to rise to the pinnacle in 2024. Some fans felt that the team needed leadership, a different superstar to partner with Jayson Tatum or even a more experienced head coach. In the past two weeks, the team hired Sam Cassell and Charles Lee to add more experience to the coaching staff. Yesterday, by late afternoon, news emerged they were looking to improve their roster by trading for Kristaps Porzingis while trading Malcolm Brogdon in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards. However, by 10 pm, the deal involving the teams fell apart due to the Clippers’ concern over the health of Malcolm Brogdon. Many fans went to bed thinking the Celtics missed out on landing the unicorn but woke up to the news that he will be heading to Beantown along with two first-round picks. In exchange, the Celtics will send Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Wizards will get Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, and Mike Muscala and a 2023 second-round pick. In this article, we provide reactions to the deal from the perspective of all three teams.
1. Celtics- the Celtics won this trade on paper because Porzingis and two first-round picks was the best package of the three teams. Porzingis had a career year last season averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. The big question is whether last year was an outlier or whether will he become the third star on a team with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Porzingis should help the Celtics by creating space on the floor through his three-point shooting and is an underrated defender at the rim. However, the Celtics are taking a massive risk with only one year left on his contract. On the other hand, Marcus Smart was one of the most polarizing athletes in Boston, and fans were divided on the impact provided on the team. However, in the aftermath of the trade, the overall sentiment from fans is that the franchise is losing its heart and soul as captain of the team. Smart won the Defensive Player of the Year in the 2021-2022 season but took a step back defensively last season. Smart was an inconsistent three-point shooter and the de facto Point Guard struggled to initiate the offense during tight games in the playoffs. Nonetheless, Smart must be commended for always giving his all and putting his body on the line for the team.
2. Grizzlies-the team has been reeling from the 25-game suspension of superstar Ja Morant for wielding a firearm during a social media post. The Morant suspension was a gut punch to the franchise, and despite having a good record of playing without their superstar, it felt that something had to change for the team to move forward. The acquisition of Marcus Smart could be the cultural shift that is needed in Memphis. Smart may provide the veteran leadership that the team craves and is someone who sets the tone on and off the court. Desmond Bane has tweeted his excitement on hearing the news to Marcus Smart with the words…. Let’s Get it! The Memphis Grizzlies got better now the team can navigate the troubled waters until mid-December when Morant is back. After his return, Smart can be a valuable mentor for the superstar, get him to focus on basketball, and fulfill his potential.
3. Wizards-the team should be happy that they did at least get some value from the departure of Porzingis. Kristaps could have just opted out and walked away after losing Kyle Kuzma who did the same thing earlier this week. Tyus Jones is a good young player who showed in a backup role that he could initiate offense on a good team. However, I would be disappointed if I was a fan because they lost Beal, Porzingis, and Kuzma at this point with no first-round picks in return to facilitate a quick rebuild. It remains to be seen whether they can flip Chris Paul to another team or whether they will agree to a buyout. Will they also keep Danilo Gallinari or move him to contender after coming off a major injury? There are a lot of unanswered questions in the capital, and if this is a rebuild, it will take years of tanking, and a lot of good chess moves along the way. That sounds painful.