Tim Welsh on reinserting Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics lineup
Tim Welsh, basketball analyst for ESPN, SiriusXM, and NBC Sports Boston, joined Felger and Mazz on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. While on, Welsh was asked about how he would re-insert Kristaps Porzingis into the Celtics lineup for the Finals and here’s what he had to say:
Jim Murray: So there was news today that Kristaps Porzingis is going to be ready to go for game one. Tim, if there’s any question or concern about him not being 100%, should they consider keeping Al Horford in the starting lineup?
Tim Welsh: Yeah. What I think you got to do is just try to get him in there, though. If you’re going to sit him, sit him after he warms up and plays for a little bit. If he comes in off the bench cold, I think that there would be a concern that maybe he comes in and he’s cold and he maybe tweaks the injury again. He’s a seasoned veteran, Jim. I just think that he knows his body. It sounds like he’s still concerned about playing at a high level as far as when the lights go on or the scoreboard goes on. Even though he has been in scrimmages. I think they’re going to manage it, they’re going to be smart about it, they’ve been smart about it. I think he probably could have played at the end of the Pacers series, that’s what I’ve been told, but they’ve been very smart about it and you have to because you got to kind of ease him back into it. I would throw him out there right away and then see how he looks 3 or 4 minutes into the game and then get him out and try to keep him warm on the sideline.
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Tim McKone: Moves that gave us the NBA Finals
1. Damian Lillard
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Fiserv Forum on October 26, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
- Bucks receive: Damian Lillard
- Blazers receive: Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Bucks 2029 first-round pick (unprotected), swap rights on Bucks' 2028 and 2030 picks
- Suns receive: Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson
This is the trade that completely reshaped the Eastern Conference for this season. Lillard was the annual disgruntled superstar that was ready for a change. Giannis wanted to team up with another star and so the Bucks went all in to make their franchise player happy. And from the Bucks perspective I get it. You are not a destination franchise, your future depends on Giannis being a part of the organization, and if there is a move that can land you a stud while also keeping your star player happy it’s a no brainer. Unfortunately, for the Bucks the move didn’t work. Head Coach Adrian Griffin was blown out midway through the season and replaced with Doc Rivers. Both stars were not healthy in the playoffs and the team was bounced in the first round. The reality is even if the team was healthy the Bucks took a step back this season. In hindsight the move for Lillard appears to be an overreaction by the franchise. Last year the team won 58 games and finished first in the East. Yes, they were eliminated in the first round but again Giannis was hurt. The team clearly missed what Jrue Holiday brought to the table this season and to not only take him off the roster but also have the Celtics wind up with him was a devastating blow to the Bucks.
2. Jrue Holiday
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 27: Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
- Celtics receive: Jrue Holiday
- Trail Blazers receive: Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, 2024 first-round pick (via Warriors), 2029 first-round pick
This one is obvious, but it is impossible to ignore the job that Brad Stevens has done since taking over the front office for the Celtics. There are a number of deals that you can point to, but this one is at the top of the list for me. Turning a disgruntled Malcolm Brogdon, constantly injured Robert Williams III, and picks into Holiday is a steal. Not only did Holiday more than fill the void left by Marcus Smart but the bonus of immediately taking some of the shine away from the Lillard trade by dealing for Holiday just days later made this one extra sweet.
4. Kyrie Irving
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks watches a play during the first quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on March 01, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
- Mavericks receive: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris
- Nets receive: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
I’ll be the first to admit I never thought we would see Kyrie Irving in this position again. I won’t go over every incident that took place in Cleveland, Boston, and Brooklyn that led me to believe a franchise that wants to win a championship shouldn’t consider bringing Irving in but there was certainly a pattern that had been established by the end of his run with the Nets. On top of that the honeymoon period with those franchises continued to get shorter and shorter. That’s why when the Mavericks traded for him last year, I thought it was a disaster of a deal for Dallas. And guess what? Last year it was! The Mavs were 28-26 when they acquired Irving and they finished the season 38-44 and missed the playoffs. Simply put, the trade did not work.
So, what does any good franchise do after trading for a player that helped lead them to a disappointing end to their season and left his three previous teams in shambles? If you guessed sign him to a 3-year $126 million deal you nailed it! Yes, the Mavericks needed to make a big move to try and keep their superstar happy (are you sensing a pattern?) the move would also be best described as DESPERATE. But you know what every once in a while, teams actually connect on a Hail Mary. And in this case the Mavericks have pulled off the NBA version of the Miami Miracle. After missing a good chunk of time in the regular season Irving has been everything you could want in a 2nd star both on and off the court. I still don’t think it ends well in Dallas for Irving but does it even matter? This Finals run has already made the contract worth it for the Mavericks.
