At a press conference after the draft: President of the basketball department Brad Stevens expressed the hope that the Celts can arrange an extension with the newly acquired big man Kristaps Porzingis, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Shortly after the three-team deal that brought Porzingis to Boston was finalized, Stevens said it offered the team a lot of flexibility.
“He can play defensively the way we want,” Stevens said. “He scares on the edge and is a super talented basketball player. We haven’t fielded much this year but getting the ball in the post and just shooting it over a switch and doing it so efficiently and effectively is a big deal, let alone being able to play behind the line. shoot the ball or drive or things like that. He brings a lot to our team. You can imagine, as I can imagine, some of the lineups that we can currently bring to market in terms of size, quite intriguing and without any sacrifice in capability.”
Porzingis has exercised his $36 million option for 2023-24 to make the swap possible, allowing him to be an unrestricted free agent next summer barring a new deal. Beginning July 6, he is eligible for a $72 million two-year extension.
There’s more from Boston, all courtesy of Himmelsbach:
- As excited as he is to add Porzingis, Stevens admitted he had a hard time parting with it Marcus Smart, who was sent to Memphis as part of the deal. Smart spent nine years with the Celtics, beginning with Stevens’ second season as head coach, and Himmelsbach notes that Stevens choked a bit when discussing his departure. “Obviously everyone loved the way he played and how hard he played, but also his work in the community,” Stevens said. “We’re all really grateful to have Marcus in our lives for so long and sad to see him go but know he’ll have a huge impact on a really good team from Memphis.”
- Stevens is optimistic Malcolm Brogdon, although the Clippers withdrew from an earlier version of the three-team trade due to concerns about Brogdon’s health. LA reportedly didn’t want to commit to the deal without a chance to physically examine Brogdon, who sustained a right arm injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Stevens told Himmelsbach he wasn’t sure Brogdon would need surgery, but he wasn’t worried it would be a long-term problem.
- Stevens adds that the Celtics were willing to tee several times in Thursday’s draft because they had numerous goals that they would have been happy with. They ended up being the Arkansas forward Jordan Walsh, who trained twice in Boston. “He’s a good candidate,” Stevens said. “He’s young. We don’t expect him to come and set the world on fire. He has a special ability laterally with his wingspan to devour people defensively. He cares with his arms, his energy and his ability to move his feet , really for chaos.”