the Celtics, Magiciansand Grizzlies pulled off a blockbuster three-team trade on Wednesday night, sending Kristaps Porzingis in Boston while Marcus Smart sent to Memphis.
The Porzingis trade, which was reportedly close to falling apart after the Clippers backed out of negotiations, coming before the 2023-24 player option deadline.
The entire deal involved multiple draft picks heading in different directions and NBA Twitter was abuzz, as fans eagerly dissected the league’s latest eye-opening transaction.
The main takeaway was the surprise inclusion of Smart in the deal, a move that seemed to blindside fans on social media. Fans also flocked to the Wizards’ lack of comebacks to face the two Bradley Beal and Porzingis, while also complimented by Brad Stevens.
When Marcus Smart found out that the Celtics traded him to the Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/hqVZOBECGh
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 22, 2023
Damn… Marcus Smart feels like a Celtic lifer. Loss of tuff https://t.co/c0jjMPW89h
– LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) June 22, 2023
Memphis finally has what Dillon Brooks thinks he is. https://t.co/T8005G75CV
– Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 22, 2023
For a team that says they want to get back on defense and move the ball I have to say I’m confused as to how that can be achieved by trading Marcus Smart and keeping Malcolm Brogdon
– Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) June 22, 2023
Wizards trade Beal and Porzingis for Tyus Jones, Landry Shamet and no first round picks pic.twitter.com/oqQvgKAVIa
— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) June 22, 2023
Wizards trade Beal and Porzingis and get 0 1sts which is unbelievable
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) June 22, 2023
Brad Stevens actually landed Kristaps Porzingis and 2 first-round picks for Marcus Smart
Crazy haul pic.twitter.com/OA2NikqCV1
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 22, 2023
Ja Morant and Marcus Smart are teammates 😳 pic.twitter.com/5Tqel9j2TL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 22, 2023
Brad Stevens traded Marcus Smart to complete the Kristaps Porzingis deal pic.twitter.com/jJQVgeE5NC
— NBA Memes (@NBAMEmes) June 22, 2023
The full trade saw Porzingis dealt to the Celtics, along with the No. 25 picks in the 2023 NBA draft and a 2024 first-round pick. The Grizzlies received Smart, while the Wizards added Tyus Jones, Mike Muscala, Danilo Gallinari, and the No. 35 picks in this year’s draft.
