Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck has strong words on Kristaps Porzingis

For the past month and a half, Boston Celtics fans have been talking about the team’s trade for Kristaps Porzingis. The former All-Star was sent to the Celtics in late June as a part of a three-team deal involving Boston, the Washington Wizards, and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck shared some thoughts on his team’s new No. 8, during a recent interview with The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Grousbeck had glaring praise for the Latvian, explaining that he seems to be all-in on winning Banner 18.

“He is a committed and now seasoned and effective player. He’s a real force. I’m really impressed with his commitment to being part of a winning Celtics team,” Grousbeck explained to Himmelsbach. “I met with him when he came up for the press conference and spent some real time with him, and he’s so happy to be here. He’s so ready to shine at this stage of his career. But he sees a team concept, not the KP show. He’s continually improved over his career, and he thinks this is his prime. But he’s about the team, his teammates and the banner. He chose us. There were other people, I hear, that wanted him. And he chose us. He wants to be here and he wants to win a ring.”

Shortly after being traded to Boston, Porzingis inked a two-year contract extension worth $60 million. He’ll now be under contract with the team through the end of the 2025-2026 season.

Kristaps Porzingis is a great addition for the Boston Celtics

The price that it took for the Boston Celtics to land Porzingis is one that’s left a bad taste in the mouths of many supporters. Boston had to include longtime guard Marcus Smart in the trade, sending the former Defensive Player of the Year to the Grizzlies.

However, despite what feels like a big loss, the move should be a winner for the Celtics.

Porzingis is coming off of one his best seasons as a pro. He appeared in 65 games for the Wizards last year, the third-highest total of his career. On top of that, the 28-year-old averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game, and was efficient in doing so. Porzingis shot 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc.

His diverse skill set will make him a welcome addition in Boston. Plus, according to Grousbeck, he seems to be fully committed to the team aspect of what the Celtics are trying to accomplish. If Porzingis buys into the push for Banner 18, then the Cs will be a force for any team to deal with next spring.