According to sources speaking to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and Washington Wizards are negotiating a three-team trade in which the Celtics would acquire Kristaps Porzingis and the Clippers would acquire Malcolm Brogdon. However, there are still issues that need to be resolved before a deal can be finalised.
According to sources, the proposed framework would involve Porzingis opting into his $36 million contract for the 2023–2024 season and moving from Washington to Boston; Brogdon moving from Boston to the Clippers; and the Wizards receiving forward Danilo Gallinari from Boston along with Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, and the 30th pick in this year’s draught from the Clippers.
In 65 games for the Wizards last season, Porzingis, who turns 28 on August 2, averaged a career-high 23.2 points, along with 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks. This was perhaps the greatest season of his NBA career.
He could now be departing for Boston, which is trying to revamp its team in order to attempt to win an additional NBA title this coming season. This summer, Boston may potentially sign Porzingis, extend the deal of All-Star forward Jaylen Brown for five years and $295 million, and decide what to do with restricted free agent big Grant Williams.
Brogdon, 30, earned Sixth Man of the Year for the Celtics this past season. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 67 games while playing as a backup after starting every game for the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers during the previous four seasons.
The Clippers would get a comparable offensive boost from Brogdon in return for the last selection in the first round of this year’s draught, Morris’ expiring contract, and Coffey, a promising wing player.
While all is going on, Washington is still making changes to its roster under the leadership of Michael Winger, its new president of basketball operations, after the Sunday blockbuster deal that sent Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a number of second-round selections, and first-round pick swaps.
The Washington forward Kyle Kuzma, one of the most interesting free agents this summer, has rejected his player option and will become an unrestricted free agency, sources informed Wojnarowski on Tuesday.
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