The 2023 NBA Draft hasn’t even started, and the Boston Celtics already shook up their core when they shipped off Marcus Smart for the pleasure of adding big man Kristaps Porzingis. Before Porzingis even plays a game in Boston, he undoubtedly presents a massive shift in play style for one of the NBA’s best teams of the last half-decade.
Gone is the quintessential glue guy in Marcus Smart — the tone-setter on the defensive end and timely offensive playmaker. In comes the finesse big man in Porzingis, who probably settles for too many three-point attempts here and there. It’s possible the Celtics aren’t done wheeling and dealing, so making a definitive judgment on their roster at this moment feels foolhardy.
That hasn’t stopped oddsmakers from projecting Boston as a +475 title favorite alongside the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
And it boggles the mind as to why:
Look, we’re not even sure Porzingis fits in with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (if the Celtics are indeed keeping both). Now he’s enough to beat the NBA team with the most continuity of anyone in the league? Yeah, hard pass on those odds and on believing in Boston’s title prospects.
Do yourself a favor: fade the Celtics for now.
Because having faith that Porzingis changed anything all that meaningful for them is a bit overzealous for June.
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