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The Boston Celtics are acquiring Kristaps Porzingis after all. The initial three-team trade involving the LA Clippers collapsed, but the Celtics pushed through to make a deal with the Washington Wizards.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics are finalizing a deal to get Porzingis from the Wizards. Porzingis will opt into the $36 million contract and will arrive in Boston soon.
The original three-team deal involved the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and LA Clippers. Kristaps Porzingis would have landed in Boston, while Malcolm Brogdon got acquired by the LA Clippers. The Wizards were set to get Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey and the No. 30 pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the trade fell apart, as the Clippers were concerned about Brogdon's injury. That's because the Sixth Man of the Year was suffering from an elbow injury during the Celtics' postseason run and was ineffective against the Miami Heat.
Memphis Grizzlies involved in Kristaps Porzingis trade
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also reported that the Boston Celtics are sending Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis.
The Grizzlies are trading Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards, while the Celtics are also acquiring the No. 25 pick on Thursday's NBA draft and a 2024 first-round pick for Smart.
The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach added that the Celtics are also sending Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala to the Wizards.
The 2024 first round pick Boston received from Memphis will come from the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics' No. 35 pick on Thursday's draft is also heading to Washington.
Are the Boston Celtics done making trades?
The Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing exit from the playoffs this season. They were eliminated by the Miami Heat in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics were down 3-0 before forcing a Game 7.
However, as the Celtics fell short of returning to the NBA Finals, they are going all-in next season by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and trading Marcus Smart. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is finally getting a roster he wants after inheriting Ime Udoka's squad.
Mazzulla had taken over as interim coach after Udoka's suspension at the start of the season. He was promoted to head coach after Udoka was dismissed. He did great for a rookie coach, leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals and was one win short of making the NBA Finals.
