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Kristaps Porzingis and the Boston Celtics are officially committing to each other

Author Matt Dolloff
Kristaps Porzingis of the Washington Wizards dunks against the Boston Celtics during a game at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2023. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The rumors appear to be true: the Boston Celtics are locking in big man Kristaps Porzingis for more than just a one-year window.

According to NBA insider

Boston Celtics and Kristaps Porzingis are expected to finalize a two-year, approximately $60 million extension, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Haynes, the Celtics and Porzingis are expected to finalize a two-year contract extension worth approx. $60 million. He was on the books for just a one-year deal at just over $36 million.

Kristaps Porzingis of the Washington Wizards reacts during a game. (Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images

Porzingis recently came to the Celtics as part of a three-team trade that sent guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. Rumors quickly emerged that Boston would work toward extending Porzingis for two more years.

Porzingis played 65 games for the Washington Wizards in 2022-23, his highest total since his rookie season in a career marked by injuries. He averaged 23.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, while shooting a career-best .498 from the field, as well as .385 from three-point range.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 22: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images

The Celtics were originally reported to be working on a trade that involved veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon, but the Los Angeles Clippers ultimately walked away due to concerns about Brogdon’s recent elbow injury. That ultimately led to Smart being traded. As of this writing, NBA free agency has officially started and Brogdon remains with the Celtics.

Celtics President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens will also have a decision to make on restricted free agent Grant Williams, who was extended a qualifying offer. Williams can still negotiate an extension or sign-and-trade instead of accepting the offer.

Click here for complete Celtics off-season coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Is Kristaps Porzingis a real long-term option for the Boston Celtics?

  • Dec 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers guard Luke Kennard (5) and guard Terance Mann (14) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

    Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

  • Porzingis can make things more difficult for the Celtics if he tells Stevens he wants to play the rest of his career in Boston, or that he wants an extension of three or four years. That may be over-the-top for Porzingis to make that move, though, because of his injury history.

    Despite still being just 27 years old, Porzingis may not last long into his 30s with the way injuries have broken him down over the course of his career. Certainly not at a high level or big minutes. Porzingis has averaged only 50.3 games per season over his eight in the NBA, including when he missed the entire 2018-19 campaign due to a torn ACL.

  • Kristaps Porzingis of the Washington Wizards dunks against the Boston Celtics during a game. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

    Kristaps Porzingis (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

  • It’s just unclear at this point what Porzingis or his camp mean by “long term.” If that means just making it a three-year run for him in Boston and that’s that, then a lot of possible questions would be answered, problems would be solved.

    The Celtics can’t even extend Porzingis until next Thursday, July 6. In sports negotiating terms, that should be more than enough time to iron that out. It just remains to be seen exactly how committed the Celtics are to Porzingis, or even Brown, and what the team may look like beyond next season.

  • READ MORE:

    — Marcus Smart trade takeaways
    — Malcolm Brogdon injury update
    — Porzingis to wear No. 8 for C’s

  • We’ll continue to keep you updated on the Celtics’ off-season, with NBA free agency fast approaching, here at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

NEXT: 6 Takeaways from the Boston Celtics’ big shakeup

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