Celtics: Favorite Boston sports moment of 2023
Kristaps Porzingis traded to the Celtics
Full Trade
Celtics received:
Kristaps Porzingis (via Wizards)
No. 25 pick in 2023 Draft (via Grizzlies)
2024 first-round pick (top-four protected, via Warriors)
Grizzlies received:
Marcus Smart (via Celtics)
Wizards received:
Tyus Jones (via Grizzlies)
Danilo Gallinari (via Celtics)
Mike Muscala (via Celtics)
No. 35 pick in 2023 Draft (via Celtics)
This is my favorite move made by any team in Boston this year. There was a lot of questions when Brad Stevens took over for Danny Ainge as president of basketball operations. He had no front office experience and the Celtics were in win now mode. With his understanding of the locker room after being the head coach from 2013-21 and with the financial backing of ownership, he has quickly shown he is not afraid to make real seismic shift moves.
Essentially, swapping Marcus Smart out for Porzingis represented that the Celtics weren’t satisfied. Reaching the conference finals and NBA finals is certainly an accomplishment but it is all about getting Banner 18.
Smart was a great asset as he never took a night off and played his tail off defensively, but as Derrick White emerged last season, he became expendable.
With Boston failing to win it all, but consistetiently making deep playoff runs it was clear change was needed. Porzingis has played in Boston not even a half of a season and it has looked like he has been part of the core for years.
The 7’3” unicorn is averaging 20.7 points per game and has a career best 61 effective field goal percentage. Porzingis has also shot a team best 67.9 on two pointers.
With his four year extension in place the 28-year old Porzingis now joins Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to create a formidable big three for the foreseeable future.
The one downside is that Porzingis has been prone to injuries in his NBA career. Through the first 31 games the Celtics are an NBA best 25-6 and Porzingis has missed nine games. With a talented and deep roster the Celtics will be able to manage his minutes and games played throughout the regular season.
This Celtics core will be judged on if they win a championship while they are together. Keeping Porzingis healthy will go a long way of making that a reality. Having a player of his size that is a real scoring threat from anywhere on the court, can defend inside, and overall can space the floor is invaluable.
While this is not only my favorite move of 2023, Wyc had the best quote of the year as well.
Grousbeck and the rest of the Celtics ownership group doesn’t get enough credit around Boston for their commitment to bringing what would be an historic 18th NBA championship.
Follow Matt on Twitter @BSTRONG415
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