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After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?
On the eve of the draft, the Celtics, Wizards, and Grizzlies agreed to a three-team blockbuster sending Marcus Smart to Memphis, Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, and Tyus Jones to Washington.
Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the 35th pick in Thursday's draft also go from the C's to the nation's capital. Boston's also acquiring the 25th pick in this year's draft and a top-four protected 2024 first-round selection via the Warriors.
The Celtics now have nine first-round picks through 2030. That'll help their efforts to build around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, with intel pointing toward the latter signing a five-year, $295 million veteran supermax extension. If Boston's All-NBA wings are on the roster in two years, they'll account for roughly 70 percent of the team's cap space.
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Speaking of the Celtics' cap sheet, according to Yossi Gozlan from HoopsHype, they're now $5 million below the second apron, factoring in the 25th pick in Thursday's draft.
Re-signing Grant Williams would put them over it and eliminate their ability to utilize the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception. However, even if Williams departs, it's less likely that they acquire someone with it than when they had more flexibility before making this deal. Shedding payroll is, of course, a way to change that calculus.
Regarding retaining players, trading Smart, the longest-tenured team member, makes it more likely Pritchard's back in Boston next season.
The former Oregon Duck's on the books for slightly north of $4 million for the 2023-24 campaign. He's extension eligible this offseason but also carries a $5.96 million qualifying offer as a 2024-25 restricted free agent.
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According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst in an appearance on Get Up, "(Malcolm) Brogdon has a health issue, a health issue that, as I understand, is so significant, that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, there's probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term."
While Windhorst didn't specify, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year is dealing with a forearm strain that may require surgery.
Brogdon's on Boston's books for $22.5 million for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. It's increasingly likely if he's traded, the primary benefit will be reducing payroll.
While Derrick White was this team's third-best player last season, starting point guard doesn't seem like the optimal role for him. As quickly as floor generals give the ball up after getting over half court now, and as much as the Celtics' offense could change with Sam Cassell and Charles Lee added to the coaching staff and Porzingis on the roster, it's unknown how effectively White will fill in for Smart initiating some of Boston's go-to actions.
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With the trade to send Bradley Beal to the Suns not yet finalized, this author would love to see its completion include Chris Paul joining the Celtics. However, even with Brogdon re-routed, that's highly unlikely, given how difficult it would be for them to avoid the ramifications of being over the second apron two years in a row.
Porzingis, who's coming to Boston on a $36 million player option, and Paul could be rentals in an aggressive one-year push for Banner 18. The former is extension eligible next month. While playing out the season seems wise, between the price the organization paid to acquire the former All-Star, Al Horford's turning 38 years old next summer, and durability concerns about Robert Williams, seeing him walk out the door would bring considerable uncertainty in the frontcourt.
Trusting White to get the job done, hoping Brogdon's healthy in the playoffs, and having Pritchard as another layer of backcourt depth, is the easiest path to predict right now. Of course, it's not even July, and the trade deadline could result in further reconfiguring.
Further Reading
Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Trade Marcus Smart to Grizzlies in Blockbuster Deal
Grant Williams Not Expected Back If Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics Add Former Teammate of Jayson Tatum to Coaching Staff
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Marcus Sasser
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Julian Strawther
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jordan Walsh
Rick Barry Says Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Suffer From “Westbrook Syndrome”
Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson
