Celtics in ‘Strong Talks’ to Trade for Mavs Ex Kristaps Porzingis
Less than a week after the Phoenix Suns got the trade frenzy started by swinging a deal for Bradley Beal with the Washington Wizards, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers are apparently getting in on the fun just a day before the NBA Draft gets underway.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Boston, Washington and Los Angeles are in “strong talks” on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to the Wizards and Malcom Brogdon to the Clippers.
“Sources: Wizards, Celtics and Clippers are in strong talks on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to Washington and Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles. Sides are still working through details and Porzingis’ $36M player option,” Shams tweeted.
Porzingis spent two and a half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before he was traded to the Wizards at last year’s deadline in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Dinwiddie went on to be a main piece in the Mavs’ trade for star point guard Kyrie Irving earlier this year.
On paper, Porzingis should fit in well next to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However, he was also supposed to fit in well next to Mavs star Luka Doncic on paper as well, but the two were just never able to click they way the Dallas front office hoped they would.
Some of that was due to injuries, and some of it was simply style-of-play differences, but the idea of Porzingis was always a lot more optimistic than the reality, as he just simply didn’t affect wins and losses even when he did play. Regardless, it’ll be intriguing to see Porzingis playing a role on a true championship contender next season.
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