The Boston Celtics made an unexpected trade ahead of the 2023 NBA draft, acquiring 27-year-old big man Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal.
Some fans have mixed emotions about giving up Marcus Smart in the swap. He was the team’s heart and soul and its longest-tenured player. But the trade addressed the Celtics’ need for an interior scorer and adds versatility to their lineup.
Porzingis brings elite post scoring skills, ranking fourth in the league in points per post-up, and can dominate inside the paint. His ability to finish through contact and shoot fadeaways makes him a difficult player to defend. He is an underrated passer, with improved playmaking skills and driven kicks to the corner. Defensively, he provides shot-blocking, length and pick-and-roll defense, adding flexibility to Boston’s defensive schemes.
To hear more about what the Latvian center brings to the Celtics, take a look at the clip embedded below put together by the folks behind the NBA Swish YouTube channel.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
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