Kristaps Porzingis could potentially be headed to Boston.
The Celtics are reportedly closing in on acquiring the 7-foot-3 Washington Wizards center in a three-team deal, according to NBA Insider Shams Charania.
“Wizards, Celtics and Clippers are in strong talks on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to Washington and Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles,” Charania wrote on Twitter. “Sides are still working through details and Porzingis’ $36M player option.”
The Clippers also are expected to trade the No. 30 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to Washington in the deal, according to reports.
Boston’s Danilo Gallinari is expected to head to Washington as part of the trade, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Porzingis, 27, has a $36 million player option for the 2023-24 season with the Wizards, which he had to decide on by Wednesday afternoon.
While Washington was interested in re-signing Porzingis to a new contract, it seems the Celtics were making a real push to acquire him.
Porzingis signed a five-year, $158 million contract with the Mavericks in 2019 before he was traded to the Wizards in 2021.
Ideally for the Celtics, Porzingis would opt into his final contract year before the trade, avoiding free agency negotiations and a lengthy deal.
Porzingis, the No. 4 pick of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Knicks, could add real depth to Boston’s offense.
The big man — when healthy — offers versatility with interior playmaking and the ability to shoot outside.
He averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assist and 1.5 blocks in the 2022-23 season, while shooting 38 percent from behind the 3-point line.
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals this postseason after making it to the NBA Finals the prior year.
If the trade goes through, it would be the rebuilding Wizards’ second big move of the summer.
They dealt Bradley Beal to Phoenix earlier this week.
While Porzingis is a sturdy presence for the Wizards, the team appears to be heading into tank mode after dealing away the star guard.