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Boston Celtics

The Celtics appear to be on the verge of their first major trade of the offseason

By Alex Barth June 21st

Wednesday began with an odd rumor about the Celtics trading a player away. By the afternoon though, things were trending towards them acquiring a player who would play a significant role this upcoming season.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers “are in strong talks” in a trade that would see each team shuffle bench players. That trade would see the Celtics acquire forward Kristaps Porzingis from the Wizards while sending guard Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers. Forward Marcus Morris, a former Celtic, would be traded from the Clippers to the Wizards along with draft capital.

  • To this point, no deal has officially gotten done. Charania noted Prozingis’ $36 million player option for next season as a potential holdup.

    If this deal does get done, it appears it came together quickly. It was only a few hours before when Charania first reported the Celtics’ interest in Porzingis.

  • Porzingis, 27, was the fourth-overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 2015 NBA Draft. The 7-foot-3, 240-pound forward out of Latvia was viewed at the time as a true ‘stretch-four’ who could help stretch the floor even at his size.

    While Porzingis has shown flashes of being that player – he was an All-Star in 2018 – health has been an issue. He’s averaged just 50.3 games per season over his eight year NBA career, which has been with three teams.

    Last season was one of Porzingis’ best. He played in and started 65 games, averaging a career-high 23.2 points per game while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three. He also grabbed 8.4 rebounds per game.

  • READ MORE:

    — Ex-Celtic joins coaching staff
    — An injury update on Grant Williams
    — Jaylen Brown avoids supermax talk

  • In order to get Porzingis, the Celtics would thin out some of their guard depth by moving on from Brogdon, who they acquired in a trade last offseason. The 30-year-old guard appeared in 67 games off the bench for the Celtics last year, averaging 14.9 points per game and shooting 44.4 percent from three on his way to winning NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Brogdon is under contract for two more years.

    Even without Brogdon, the Celtics still have plenty of talent in their backcourt. Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard all remain under contract for the upcoming season.

    As for the Wizards, this deal would help them move forward with their current rebuild. They already parted ways with Bradley Beal over the weekend, sending him to the Phoenix Suns in a separate deal.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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