UPDATE (Thursday, June 22 at 12:50 am ET): The Celtics are reportedly finalizing a three-team trade with the Wizards and Grizzlies. The Celtics are acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and two first-round picks. The Grizzlies are getting Marcus Smart. The Wizards are adding Tyus Jones, Mike Muscala, Danilo Gallinari and a 2023 second-round pick. Click here for the full details.
–End of Update–
Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that the Boston Celtics were “closing in” on acquiring Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade involving the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers. That apparently is no longer the case.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski now reports the trade discussions “have fallen apart” and “sides are moving on.”
The original deal had the Celtics sending veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers and forward Danilo Gallinari to the Wizards. It’s unclear how Boston will proceed with those pieces, but there is still a chance Porzingis ends up in Boston.
Wojnarowski adds that the Wizards are still working to get Porzingis to the Celtics in an opt-in and trade scenario. Porzingis can still decline his $36 million player option and become a free agent. He has until midnight to opt in.
As for why the proposed three-team team fell apart, NBA insider Marc Stein reports the Clippers had concerns about Brogdon’s injury status. The 30-year-old has an extensive injury history and was largely ineffective during the postseason due to a partial tear in the tendon in his right elbow.
Porzingis would bolster the Celtics’ frontcourt while adding another legitimate scoring threat alongside stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The 7-foot-3 veteran is coming off the best season of his seven-year NBA career with 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds through 65 games played.