The Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a significant three-team trade on the eve of the 2023 NBA Draft, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.
According to the trade details, the Celtics will acquire Kristaps Porzingis, the 25th overall pick in the 2023 first round from Memphis, and a 2024 first-round pick from Memphis via Golden State. In exchange, the Grizzlies will receive Marcus Smart, while the Wizards will receive Mike Muscala, Danilo Gallinari, Tyus Jones, and the 35th overall pick in the 2023 second round from Boston.
This trade comes after a previous three-team trade involving Porzingis, the Celtics, the Wizards, and the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly fell apart. That particular trade involved Malcolm Brogdon moving from Boston to Los Angeles, among other components.
The 2024 first Boston gets from Memphis (via Golden State) is top-4 protected, then top-1 protected in 2025, then unprotected in 2026
— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) June 22, 2023
The Celtics drafted Marcus Smart as the 6th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, and he played nine seasons with the team. Throughout his time with the Celtics, he reached the playoffs every year and earned the title of Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
With Smart’s addition, the Grizzlies gain valuable backcourt depth to support superstar point guard Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension at the start of the 2023-24 season.
On the other hand, the Celtics benefit from Porzingis’ frontcourt scoring, strong outside shooting, and solid interior defense. Porzingis had an impressive season with the Wizards, averaging a career-high 23.2 points per game while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. Furthermore, he played 65 games, marking his highest total since the 2016-17 season.
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