The New York Knicks take bold steps to rebuild their franchise

Report: Three-Team Trade Involving Porziņģis, Morris, and Brogdon in the Works

Introduction

A three-team trade involving the Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Clippers is reportedly in the works, with the potential to send Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to Washington, and Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles. The deal, which is said to be a “high possibility,” is still being finalized, but the teams are working through the details.

The Wizard’s Decision to Move Porziņģis

The trade involving Porziņģis indicates that the new decision-makers of the Wizards franchise are committed to rebuilding. Since the trade of Bradley Beal, it has been clear that the team wants to tear down the roster and start fresh. While the initial trade for Beal did not bring in significant draft capital, a three-team trade involving Porziņģis could provide the Wizards with much-needed draft assets.

In order for the Wizards to trade Porziņģis, he would first need to exercise his player option for the 2023-24 season, worth $36 million. Today is the deadline for Porziņģis to decide on his player option, which explains the urgency to complete the trade. Additionally, acquiring further draft capital would give the Wizards flexibility to either use it on draft night or package it to potentially move up in the draft.

Porziņģis has been well-liked by his teammates, coaches, and team officials since he joined the Wizards in February 2022. He has had a positive influence on his young teammates, particularly forward Deni Avdija. However, with the recent changes in the organization, including the firing of the president and general manager and the trade of Beal, it’s unclear if Porziņģis is still interested in participating in a rebuild. A trade to Boston could offer him the opportunity to compete for a championship, and it would also allow the Celtics to convey his Bird rights, giving them the flexibility to re-sign or extend his contract.

What Porziņģis Would Bring to Boston

The Celtics would be taking a risk by acquiring Porziņģis, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career. With only one year left on his contract, there is also the possibility that he could leave as a free agent after next season. However, assuming the cost is not too high, Porziņģis could be a valuable addition to the Celtics. He would provide them with more options in the frontcourt, allowing them to play bigger lineups and giving them a consistent low-post scoring threat. Furthermore, Porziņģis would not require the Celtics to sacrifice their outside shooting, which was a key factor in their success this past season.

Brogdon’s Fit in Los Angeles

The potential acquisition of Brogdon by the Clippers brings up various considerations. Brogdon, a 6-foot-4 guard who can play all three perimeter positions, has long been monitored by the Clippers. He is known for his size, skill, and defensive capabilities. However, there are concerns about his age (he will turn 31 in December) and durability, as he has had multiple postseasons shortened by injury. Despite these concerns, Brogdon’s playmaking abilities would complement Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Acquiring Brogdon would also impact the Clippers’ pursuit of Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook, as they would only be able to sign one of those players to a minimum deal. The Clippers may prefer to wait on a decision regarding Paul before finalizing a deal for Westbrook.

The departure of Morris from the Clippers ends his four-year tenure with the team, where he was expected to produce as the third-best player alongside Leonard and George. While Morris had his moments, particularly in the 2021 postseason, his athleticism has declined in recent years. His shooting, while still decent, was not enough to outweigh his deficiencies in other areas of the game. Trading Morris removes the possibility of overplaying him and allows the Clippers to address their starting lineup, which remains an issue even after this trade.

Conclusion

Overall, the potential three-team trade involving Porziņģis, Morris, and Brogdon showcases the intentions of the Wizards to rebuild and the desire of the Celtics and Clippers to strengthen their respective rosters. The trade still requires some fine-tuning, but it could be a significant move with implications for the future of these teams. As the deadline for Porziņģis’ player option approaches, the urgency to complete the trade is palpable. The draft capital acquired in the trade could provide the Wizards with additional flexibility in the upcoming NBA Draft, while Porziņģis’ potential move to Boston offers him the chance to compete for a championship. The inclusion of Brogdon in the trade adds a dynamic guard to the Clippers roster, despite concerns about his age and injury history.