‘The Unicorn’ arrives in Boston: Celtics welcome Kristaps Porzingis

The Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis the night before the NBA Draft in a three-team trade that included the Grizzlies and Wizards.

Celtics director of basketball operations Brad Stevens vowed that changes were coming after a season that began with championship expectations ended before a return to the NBA Finals. Boston took its first steps in launching its latest era by introducing Kristaps Porzingis on Thursday.

Porzingis said teams’ faith in him is motivating as he begins his fourth stop in the league.

It’s the most exciting feeling you can have, he said. Just the thought of it. … That made it very easy. That made (the Celtics) my absolute favorite.

The Celtics scored the 7-foot forward from the Washington Wizards the night before the NBA draft.three team tradethere was also Marcus Smart, who was Boston’s oldest veteran on his way to the Memphis Grizzlies.

looks good in green pic.twitter.com/1HHTFq6Xjl

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 29, 2023

The decision to part ways with Smart, a 2022 defensive player and the team’s vocal leader, was one that coach Joe Mazzulla called difficult. He said he spoke with Smart shortly after the deal was completed.

I was able to talk to him and I just told him that I love him and appreciate him as a person,” Mazzulla said. You will never replace a man like him.

But Boston hopes the addition of Porzingis, the fourth pick in the 2015 draft coming off one of his best NBA seasons statistically, can bring a different dynamic alongside All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

They now form a leading trio in a group that also includes veterans Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Al Horford and big man Robert Williams.

Porzingis, who was nicknamed “The Unicorn” by Kevin Durant in 2016, said the success of the current group and the history of the Celtics franchise is what excited him most about the trade.