Sources suggest Grizzlies get Marcus Smart in Kristaps Porzingis-Tyus Jones trade
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies traded Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart and Tyus Jones late Wednesday night. Memphis sends Boston the 25th pick in Thursday’s draft and the pick of the Golden State Warriors’ first four proteges in 2024, while the Celtics send Washington the 35th pick. Sources say Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala will also travel to Washington. The three-team deal was finalized minutes before Porzingis’ midnight ET deadline to opt for his $36 million player option for 2023-24. Porzingis has signed, sources say.
After attempting to strike a three-team deal with the LA Clippers that would have sent Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles, the Wizards’ 30th draft pick, and Porzingis to the Celtics, the trade ended a long day of negotiations. Boston moved to talks in Memphis after that deal fell through, allowing that deal to go through before the deadline. The deal dramatically changes the Celtics. NBA trade grades: CP3 and draft night winners? 3d Middleton declines $40 million option and becomes free agent 3d Porzingis, who turns 28 on Aug. 2, had his greatest NBA season in Washington, averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks in 65 games. The Wizards traded him at the 2022 trade deadline, trading Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to the Dallas Mavericks, and he played his first full season in Washington.
He’s heading to Boston, where the Celtics are retooling for an 18th NBA title. Along with those two first-round picks, Porzingis will give the Celtics a new offensive dimension alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston can offer All-Star forward Brown a five-year, $295 million deal and must decide the future of restricted free-agency forward Grant Williams after the Porzingis acquisition. Boston will also have to adapt without Smart, the heart of the team for nine years. The 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year was the team’s longest-serving player and one of the league’s best and most versatile perimeter defenders.
