Kristaps Porzingis is one of those players whose reputation has changed wildly from season to season. Playing for the New York Knicks a young Porzingis was likely overrated, while an injury-riddled Porzingis clashed with Rick Carlisle and was underrated when the Dallas Mavericks dumped him on the Washington Wizards at the 2022 Trade Deadline.
Now Porzingis is heading to the Boston Celtics, which will thrust him fully into the spotlight. Rather than try his hand as an unrestricted free agent, Porzingis will opt into his $36 million player option to allow the deal to go through.
The deal in full will involve three teams, with the Memphis Grizzlies stepping in to add Marcus Smart and the Washington Wizards getting a young point guard in Tyus Jones. The deal in full:
Full deal as far as I can tell:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 22, 2023
BOS - Kristaps Porzingis, #25 pick, future GSW 1st
MEM - Marcus Smart
WAS - Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, #35 pick
The Washington Wizards are fully embracing their rebuild
That’s two stars sent out of town, and with Kyle Kuzma declining his player option to hit unrestricted free agency, the slate is wiped clean in Washington. The Celtics make a big swing at center, while the Grizzlies buy high on a point guard who can also solve their wing defense needs.
How did each team fare in the deal? Let’s grade this trade from every angle, starting with the Western Conference participants.