Shams Report: Kristaps Porzingis Trade Could Send Him To Eastern Contender

NBA Insider Shams Charania has some breaking trade rumor news for us this afternoon, as the Washington Wizards may continue their tear-down by sending the original unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis, to the Boston Celtics.

Eastern Conference championship contender pursuing Kristaps Porzingis in potential opt in-and-trade with the Wizards: pic.twitter.com/JFQ78784rk

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2023

Boston has had interest in Porzingis for a while now. They tried to trade for him before his original team, the New York Knicks moved him to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019. 

The trade would be an "opt-in and trade" scenario, where KP would accept his $36M player option for the coming season, and then be traded to the Celtics. 

Charania says that the two teams are making progress on a potential framework for the deal. 

While the Wizards had shown some interest in bringing the 7'3" Porzingis back, the franchise took an abrupt turn towards the future this past week when they traded longtime star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. New Washington GM Michael Winger has started a rebuild, and it's unlikely the soon-to-be 28-year-old Porzingis would be a part of it. 

As for the Celtics, they'd get some much-need size in their frontcourt if this deal goes through. 

Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports