In the hours following a massive trade that saw the Boston Celtics land Kristaps Porzingis while moving on from longtime guard Marcus Smart, reports have surfaced that the front office isn’t satisfied just yet.
According to sources who spoke with MassLive’s Brian Robb, Boston is “far from done” making moves.
“There’s no guarantee the team will be able to retain Porzingis alongside the rest of the supporting cast in 2024 alongside Tatum/Brown with this new CBA so look for all holes on the roster for 2023-24 to be filled,” Robb wrote. “Whether Stevens elects to do that more of that with younger talent or more trade/free agent activity remains to be seen, but one league source insists Boston is far from done.”
A move like the Porzingis trade was rumored over the past week or so. News had leaked that the C’s were interested in offloading one of Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, or Payton Pritchard in a potential deal to unclog their backcourt.
While it wound up being Smart, the rumor was that Brogdon was the guy that the front office was most likely to trade away, which they almost did. He was included in an initial trade between Boston, the Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers that would’ve sent him to L.A. and still netted the Celtics Porzingis.
The Boston Celtics are ‘far from done’ doing what?
Robb’s report leaves many questions left to answer. What could the Celtics be looking to do after offloading their longest-tenured player?
Well, for starters, it feels like Brogdon has to be moved still. Again, the team was reportedly interested in sending him out in a swap. Add that to everyone learning that they intended to do so from the earlier reports of the three-team deal and it’s difficult to imagine him wanting to suit up for the C’s again.
However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Thursday morning that it may be difficult to move the reigning Sixth Man of the Year due to ongoing injury concerns.
“Brogdon has a health issue, a health issue that as I understand, is so significant, that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, there’s probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s Get Up.
Another name that comes to mind when pondering the Boston Celtics’ options for potential personnel moves is Grant Williams. Many felt as if the trade for Porzingis meant the end of Williams’ time in Boston, as he approaches restricted free agency.
Robb mentioned the possibility of a sign-and-trade in the aforementioned news dump on Thursday morning.
“Instead, look for the Celtics to try to swing a sign-and-trade with him per sources and instead add another player for guard/wing depth or grab a future draft asset or traded player exception., Robb added.
The Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Dallas Mavericks have all reportedly shown interest in Boston’s No. 12.