Kristaps Porzingis. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Rumored three-team trade would solve Celtics' biggest problem

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 6/22/23

The Celtics are on the verge of fixing their biggest problem if a reported trade is finalized.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski , the Wizards, Celtics and Grizzlies are finalizing a deal that would send Wizards power forward Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, and he will opt into his $36 million option for 2023-24. Additionally, the Memphis is sending Tyus Jones to Washington. The Grizzlies are getting Marcus Smart, per Woj.

Wojnarowski adds the draft-pick swaps involved in the deal:

The Grizzlies are sending 2023 and 2024 first-round picks to the Celtics, sources tell ESPN. Grizzlies are sending No. 25 on Thursday night and 2024 pick via Golden State for Smart.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2023

As The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor notes, adding Porzingis fills a huge need for Boston, which lacked a consistent scoring threat in the post last season with the duo of Al Horford and Robert Williams.

Per tracking data from NBA.com, among players who played in at least 50 games last season, Porzingis tied for 11th in post touches per game (four) and finished one spot ahead of LeBron James.

Among all players who averaged at least four post touches per game, only Nikola Jokic had a better shooting percentage (65.8 percent) on field goals attempted in the post than Porzingis (61 percent).

O'Connor shared other stats that show what the Celtics could potentially get with a Porzingis acquisition. He was one of the league's best pick-and-roll defenders in 2022-23 and should fit seamlessly on a team that finished the season with the second-best defensive rating (110.6) in the league.

Kristaps Porzingis stats from his career-best season:

Points Allowed Per Pick-and-Roll
1. Anthony Davis (0.91)
2. Steven Adams (0.92)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (0.92)
4. Kristaps Porzingis (0.93)
5. Walker Kessler (0.93)

One of the best drop P&R defenders in the NBA. And on…
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 21, 2023

Boston was the favorite to win the NBA championship once Milwaukee was upset in the opening round but fell to Miami in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With All-NBA players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the roster, Boston isn't far from hoisting another championship banner in the rafters of TD Garden. Adding Porzingis would get the Celtics a lot closer.

More must-reads: