The Boston Celtics and NBA All-Star Kristaps Porzingis are expected to finalize a two-year, $60 million extension, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT . The Washington Wizards traded Porzingis to the Celtics.
Assuming the Celtics keep Jaylen Brown, Boston now has a Big 3 of Brown, Porzingis and Jayson Tatum. Brown can sign the supermax extension with the Celtics this offseason since he made an All-NBA team this past season. Boston is expected to offer the small forward the supermax extension.
Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Wizards in 2022-23. He shot 49.8% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 85.1% from the free-throw line. The forward has career averages of 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Wizards.
The Utah Jazz were going to pursue Porzingis had he hit unrestricted free agency. However, Porzingis wanted to land with the Celtics, who are title contenders.
Gio Rivera of NESN thought Porzingis would be a “huge” upgrade over Al Horford. Rivera got his wish.
“No, he’s not the same must-watch “unicorn” talent he once was in a New York Knicks jersey, but that isn’t what the Celtics would need,” Rivera wrote. “Porzingis is still an elite-level front-court threat with the ability to protect the glass and score, leading the Wizards in both points (23.2) and rebounds (8.4). Obviously, there’s the salary factor in place that won’t complicate this hypothetical trade target, but the 27-year-old would be a huge upgrade from the cement-footed Al Horford, who is far beyond his prime and got exposed for his age all throughout the playoffs.”
Boston lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games after reaching the NBA Finals last season. It will be fascinating to see how Porzingis, Brown and Tatum play together next season.
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