NBA insider has some issues about Celtics’ blockbuster commerce for Kristaps Porzingis

Celtics

“How does he match into their defensive scheme, which has been heavy on switches?”

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, center, looks to pass past Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis, left, and forward Rui Hachimura, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Oct. 30, 2022, in Boston.
Marcus Sensible was the important thing piece in Boston’s reported three-team blockbuster commerce centered on Kristaps Porzingis. (AP Photograph/Steven Senne, File)

NBA insider Zach Lowe believes that the Celtics have improved in some areas of their roster within the wake of their reported three-team blockbuster commerce with the Wizards and Grizzlies.

In Kristaps Porzingis, Boston now has one other potential All-Star expertise who can house the ground, rating within the publish and bolsters the crew’s pick-and-roll protection.

Nonetheless, Lowe nonetheless supplied up some issues concerning the state of the Celtics roster throughout ESPN’s “Get Up” on Thursday morning.

Whereas a few of Lowe’s apprehension with Boston’s commerce falls on the affect of Marcus Sensible’s transfer to Memphis within the swap, he additionally believes that Porzingis’ distinctive skillset might not precisely meld with the present personnel in place with the Celtics.

“No. 1, I feel Marcus Sensible is the perfect passer on a crew that doesn’t have quite a lot of nice passers in Boston,” Lowe stated. “That’s one of many causes their crunch-time offense has melted down. No. 2, I really like the match of Porzingis as a stretch heart, a 3-point capturing heart. He can publish up slightly bit, significantly when one in every of [Jayson] Tatum and [Jaylen] Brown is on the bench. However can he play with Robert Williams if Robert Williams is wholesome? He can most likely play with Al Horford, however who’s closing video games for them?”

“These are all questions. How does he match into their defensive scheme, which has been heavy on switches? They made themselves larger, which they most likely wanted to do, however they’ve three guys now who’re actually facilities in Horford, Robert Williams and Porzingis. I understand that this commerce is a hedge towards Al Horford’s age and Robert Williams’s harm [history], however I feel the match questions — specifically, the playmaking questions — are form of fascinating for Boston.”

Though Boston did commerce from an space of energy with regards to their gifted (however crowded) backcourt, Wednesday’s reported commerce must be simply the primary domino to fall in what must be a really busy offseason for Brad Stevens.

With Boston reportedly including two first-round picks in Wednesday’s deal, the Celtics now have further belongings that they’ll package deal with a roster participant to safe a big return. 

Grant Williams’ pending standing as a restricted free agent will even must be addressed, with Boston doubtlessly utilizing him as a sign-and-trade candidate to be able to add one other factor to its crew.