Another big trade has gone done as a three-team deal was struck between the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Memphis Grizzlies.
The deal sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics, Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies, and Tyus Jones to the Wizards. This trade could be beneficial for all three teams. Boston also yielded two first-round picks in the trade, and Memphis acquired a second-rounder.
Let's break down how the trade affects all three teams.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics needed a change after losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston had the superior roster to Miami, but they were outworked and outplayed.
Kristaps Porzingis should be a great fit and be a starting big for the Celtics. He adds more offensive firepower outside of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks across 65 games this season. He shot 49.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three.
Porzingis is a unique big man who can score at all three levels. The 7-foot-3 big opted into his $36 million player option for this upcoming season and will work on a contract extension with the Celtics.
The tough break for Boston in this trade is they lose Marcus Smart. Smart has been the heart and soul of the Celtics team during this era. Smart has been their energy and hustle guy for years. He has also been a leader in the locker room.
Losing the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is a tough blow. They have depth at guard with Malcolm Brogdon and Derek White, but losing Smart will be extremely difficult.
Porzingis is an excellent addition to Boston, but the departure of Smart could be problematic.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies got in on the Porzingis trade as the 3rd team after the Los Angeles Clippers fell out of the initial deal. In this trade, they acquired Smart, a great defensive guard who should fit perfectly with Memphis.
Smart will take over the point guard role for the first 25 games while Ja Morant is suspended. When Morant returns, Smart may shift to shooting guard or come off the bench, as they also have Desmond Bane.
This season, Smart averaged 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. He shot 41.5 percent from the floor and 33.6 percent from behind the arc.
His elite defense will pair well with Jaren Jackson Jr, who protects the rim well. Having a top-tier defensive guard and big should help the Grizzlies' defense be one of the best in the league.
They do have to move on from Tyus Jones, who was a quality point guard for them. However, Jones was seeking a bigger role on a team where he could start.
This trade cost some draft capital but should help the Grizzlies improve, as Smart's defensive tenacity should fit well.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards win in this trade, as Jones is a quality point guard. He hasn't gotten an opportunity where he can be a full-time starter in his career but has been a really productive player off the bench.
In the 94 games he has started in his career, Jones averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.6 steals. During those games, he shot 46.2 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from downtown.
Jones will now have a role where he can start and be the initiator for Washington. The Wizards also acquired Jordan Poole, who will likely play shooting guard alongside Jones.
All they had to do was give up Porzingis, who could've left in free agency for nothing if he had declined his player option. It will be exciting to see Jones get the starting role he deserves.
This trade could be a rare win for all three teams. We will see how Porzingis, Smart, and Jones all fit into their new teams this upcoming season after they fill out the rest of their rosters.
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