The Boston Celtics are already seeing “signs of subpar health” from their marquee offseason addition, Kristaps Porzingis, according to the staff of Celtics Wire — who was judging the plantar fasciitis that kept him out of FIBA World Cup competition in the light of potentially backfiring spectacularly for the Cs.
“Could the Kristaps Porzingis trade backfire on the Boston Celtics? The Celtics’ front office was aware of the former Washington Wizards big man’s injury history but chose to roll the dice on a trade for the Latvian center, sending veteran point guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies to get the deal done,” Celtics Wire wrote.
“But we are already seeing signs of Porzingis’ subpar health with the former No. 4 pick sidelines for 2023 FIBA World Cup action with the Latvian National Team before we even get to his first minutes played for the team after signing a chunky, two-season extension.”
Shadow of Marcus Smart’s departure looms on Boston Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis trade
If Ja Morant can ever get his act together on social media, the Memphis Grizzlies could be a serious problem in the Western Conference; largely because of the shrewd veteran additions of Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose.
Of course, the former guard is the primary problem that the Boston Celtics would face if the Grizz ever got to an NBA Finals, or worse yet, won one in the next three seasons while No. 36 is under contract. Porzingis already having the injury issues he does casts a shadow over the trade in hindsight, and it’s only been a few months since being made official. Neither Porzingis nor Smart have suited up for a second with their new teams.
Typically, trades need years to truly determine the winner, but Boston’s win-now situation makes the need for Porzingis to fit in immediately crucial. Given how tough it figured to be already to integrate the Latvian big to an offense that already sees Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown split touches, that urgency is a scary prospect.