The Boston Celtics made a shocking trade for Kristaps Porzingis that was first reported by Shams Charania before being scrapped and bought back as a new three-team deal that saw Marcus Smart head to Memphis. It was a stunning move that saw Boston lose Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, Smart, and the 35th overall pick for KP and two first-rounders from Memphis, including the 25th overall pick this year.
The newest Celtic is a 7’3 former All-Star big man that turns 28 in August. Porzingis opted in for $36.0 million next season to make the deal happen. Boston will have to extend him or he will become a free agent in the summer of 2024. KP is coming off arguably the best year of his career, and he gives the Celtics a talented big man that can space the floor, score in the paint, and protect the rim.
Boston is right up against the NBA’s new second tax apron, so there are more moves to make. Do they blow right past it and limit their future flexibility or try to stay below by giving away talent? Losing Marcus Smart hurts, and now they face a tough decision on what to do next.
Moves Boston Celtics should make after acquiring Kristaps Porzingis
5. Replace Grant Williams
The Celtics staying under the second tax apron starts with their decision on Williams. He is a restricted free agent this summer, and several teams are rumored to be interested. Williams could command $15 to $20 million per season. Boston would certainly be over the second tax apron if they re-signed him this summer, but they have the right to match any offer.
Adam Himmelsbach reported that acquiring KP likely ends Williams’ time in Boston.
The Celtics should be searching for a cheaper alternative. Williams played just 25.9 minutes per game last season as Boston skewed toward offense. They cannot afford to have a $15 million player that is not playing starter’s minutes.
The Boston Celtics will be limited to minimum contracts in free agency, but they could search for a replacement wing on the trade market. That deal might see one of their big men heading to another city.
4. Trade Williams or Horford
Kristaps Porzingis played 32.6 minutes per game last season and all of those came at the center position. It is where he is best suited because it allows KP to protect the rim and patrol the paint, despite his preference to play the four.
If Porzingis is playing 33 minutes per game at the five, the Celtics do not have enough minutes for Al Horford and Robert Williams. They could run more two big-man lineups, but Boston does not want to go exclusively to that look. Jayson Tatum will see minutes at the four, and the Celtics want the versatility to go small.
Both Horford and Williams are on value contracts, but the Celtics cannot afford to pay $57.5 million to centers next season. They should explore the market for both and trade the one that fetches the best return.
Horford is 37 years old, so he could be the player that gets moved, especially if Boston goes into the second tax apron. That would limit the transactions they can make and virtually lock in their roster with an aging Horford that could decline at any moment.
Williams figures to have more value and could fetch a sizable return on the market.
Kristaps Porzingis will be the Celtics’ primary option at the five, so they should try to move on from one of their other big men if they want to have a deep and versatile roster for the 2024 playoffs.
3. Find another ball-handler
Losing Marcus Smart leaves the Celtics without a starting point guard. Reserve guard Payton Pritchard’s future is up in the air. He wants more playing time, which should be available with Smart in Memphis. Does Boston make him their starter or do they roll with Derrick White at the one and beef up? The Celtics need to find another playmaker either way.
They had issues in the playoffs, especially in their Game 7 loss to the Heat with Jayson Tatum and Malcolm Brogdon injured. Brogdon was nearly traded to the Clippers, and the Celtics could explore other packages to move him this summer. Kristaps Porzingis does little to solve their shot creation issues.
Can the Celtics find another ball-handler and playmaker? They will not have cap space to acquire one in free agency, but they should be searching the trade market for someone that can help. Boston does not need a true point guard, but finding another secondary option could help them tremendously in the postseason.
Can the Celtics land the right option? It won’t be easy. Teams are never eager to part with ball handlers, especially ones on cheap contracts. Boston could look to trade Robert Williams for one, but that could create a depth issue on the wing behind Tatum and Jaylen Brown, especially with Grant Williams departing in free agency.
The Boston Celtics could sign a backup point guard for the veteran minimum in free agency, but he may struggle to stick in the rotation in the playoffs. Stay tuned to see how they address this issue.
2. Extend Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis opted into the final year of his contract, but the Celtics are only getting more expensive moving forward. They must find a way to work out a long-term contract with The Unicorn. Marc Stein reported the trade likely comes with an extension, but the deal could be shorter than fans think.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that KP is only eligible for a two-year extension starting on July 7 for the next six months. That deal would at least keep him in Boston for multiple seasons. Porzingis is only 27 years old, but his injury history makes a shorter-term deal appealing to Boston.
The two sides need to work out a salary. Porzingis is not a $36 million per season player, but what number is he willing to accept? Could they ink him to a two-year $60 million contract in July? That would make Boston a second tax apron team next season as Jaylen Brown’s extension kicks in or the Celtics would have to trade away their depth.
The Boston Celtics did not trade away Malcolm Brogdon for one year of Kristaps Porzingis, so they have to figure out an extension for both the Unicorn and Jaylen Brown this summer.
1. Get a new deal for Jaylen Brown
Brown is entering the final year of his contract, and the 27-year-old is in line for a massive raise. Making the All-NBA team made him eligible for a supermax contract this summer. Boston has to give it to him if they want to keep him and Jayson Tatum together long-term. It will wreak havoc on the Celtics’ cap sheet, but consider it the price of having two stars.
The front office cannot afford to let Brown reach free agency. There are already some hard feelings after he was discussed in the Kevin Durant trade talks. Brown becomes a serious flight risk if he hits the open market, so the Celtics have to get an extension done before the start of the regular season or things could quickly turn problematic.
Extending Brown and Kristaps Porzingis likely forces Boston to dump Malcolm Brogdon or Derrick White over the next 365 days. Having three big-money players is difficult, especially when staying under the second tax apron.
The Boston Celtics made a massive splash in acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, and the departure of Marcus Smart was stunning. They are primed to be title contenders again next season, but there is still work to do this offseason. Stay tuned to see how the Celtics round out their roster and keep their financials in check moving forward.
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