Kristaps Porzingis reportedly close to being traded to Eastern Conference contender
Apr 5, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis (6) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Wizards’ fire sale is continuing.
After trading Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns last week, the Wizards followed by trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday as part of a three-team deal also involving the Clippers.
The Celtics are getting Porzingis from Washington.
The Clippers are sending the Wizards the No. 30 pick in the draft and receiving Malcolm Brogdon from Boston.
The Wizards are shedding Porzingis’ contract and getting back Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey and a first-round pick.
The Wizards are essentially trading most everything of value at this point.
Porzingis averaged 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season and would provide a floor-stretching frontcourt option for Boston as they seek to break through and win a championship. He has a $36 million player option for next season which will have to be sorted out before any move is officially made.
The Clippers getting in on the deal is also interesting, particularly since they are landing a starting-quality guard in Brogdon. They had been strongly linked to one other guard, so one has to wonder if this move would rule them out of that potential sweepstakes.
