Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Blockbuster three-team trade fell apart for one reason

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 6/22/23

Reports throughout the day on Wednesday said that the Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers were close to reaching a deal on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. However, later we learned that the trade would not be going through.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the deal fell apart because the Clippers had an issue with Malcolm Brogdon’s injury.

Concerns raised by the Clippers about Malcolm Brogdon's injury status, league sources say, led to the collapse of the three-team trade expected to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston before midnight tonight.

A direct Wizards/Celtics deal has not been ruled out.

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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2023

Brogdon suffered a right forearm injury in his Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the Miami Heat. He missed one game during the series due to the injury, which was termed a right forearm strain. He has a partially torn tendon.

If the Clippers pull out of the trade, the Wizards would not be getting back the No. 30 pick in this year’s draft.

But the Wizards and Celtics could look to work things out directly or try to integrate a different team in order to facilitate a new three-team trade.

Boston was working against a midnight deadline for Porzingis to decide on his $36M player option for next season. Porzingis could pick up his option to facilitate a trade. Should Porzingis decline the option, he would become a free agent.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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