Kristaps Porzingis is the most realistic return the Celtics can count on being available for Walker. The Mavericks blew a 3-2 lead in the first round of the playoffs and reports of tension between star Luka Doncic and Porzingis surrounded the team. Worse for Dallas, Porzingis struggled to stay healthy and consistently productive throughout the season. He’s signed for two more seasons at $31.7-million and $33.8-million, before a $36-million player option in 2023-24 at age 28.
He played 43-of-72 games with separate knee, ankle, wrist and back ailments. Walker played 43 too, but unlike Porzingis missed two playoff games. While Walker’s 6’0″, 184-pound stature hasn’t been conducive to staying on the floor, Porzingis can’t seem to move how he wants to at the other side of the size spectrum (7’3″, 240 pounds). Like the Russell Westbrook-John Wall swap last offseason, this deal is two teams hoping the other’s banged-up stars get right in new situations. Dallas saves a year on Porzingis’ contract, while Boston saves several million now. Porzingis is more efficient offensively. He is also not a ball-handler or playmaker, and would essentially be a stretch four.
Three things nix this deal. If Porzingis isn’t happy with his ball time on the Mavericks, he’ll get even less next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His foot movement hasn’t been conducive to defending the perimeter, like he’ll have to do in Boston, and he’s never boasted enough muscle to post-up on offense or defend centers. Beyond that, if the trade fails, Porzingis takes the Celtics out of free agency in 2023. Porzingis could see a Westbrook-style resurgence in Boston. The risk isn’t worth the reward.
