BOSTON CELTICS MAKE SHOCKING TRADE AFTER LOSS TO WIZARDS
In a surprising turn of events, the Boston Celtics have made a major move following their disappointing finish to the 2022-23 season. After a loss to the Washington Wizards, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens decided it was time for a change. The team completed a massive three-team trade that sent away their leader Marcus Smart and brought in star center Kristaps Porzingis.
Stevens had been eyeing Porzingis for a while, and it was a game against the Wizards that solidified his decision. On March 28th, the Celtics faced off against the Wizards with Stevens in attendance. Despite the Celtics fighting for a chance at the No. 1 seed and the Wizards being out of the playoff picture, the Wizards dominated the game, winning 130-111. Porzingis was the standout player, contributing 32 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in just 34 minutes of play.
The performance made a lasting impression on Stevens, who recalled, “Seeing that in person had an impact.” He initially tried to trade Malcolm Brogdon for Porzingis, but when that fell through, he made the decision to trade Smart instead. Smart, who had been the longest-tenured player on the Celtics, will now be playing for a different team.
With Porzingis joining the team, along with new arrival Jrue Holiday and reliable guard Derrick White, the Celtics now boast a formidable starting five. This talented lineup has propelled the Celtics to an NBA-best 37-11 record, putting them in first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night in a highly anticipated matchup. This will also be Smart’s first time playing at TD Garden as a member of a different team. After that, the Celtics will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon.
The Boston Celtics have entered a new era, and fans are excited to see what this talented team can accomplish.
