Kristaps Porzingis‘ plantar fasciitis recovery, though not season-ending, is going to be an extensive process that requires planning by the Celtics, Jared Weiss of The Athletic writes. Porzingis’ injury will sideline him for the entirety of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and he’ll be out of commission for at least four-to-six weeks.
The Celtics are no stranger to serious injuries taking place during international play. Just last season, Boston lost Danilo Gallinari for the whole year after he tore his ACL in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The Italian forward never ended up suiting up for the Celtics. Thankfully, in Porzingis’ case, the Celtics are hopeful history won’t repeat itself.
Weiss writes that the next steps for Porzingis include gearing up for the start of training camp, which his injury timeline syncs up with, and playing in Boston’s preseason games. Even though the timeline seems to work out well for Boston and Porzingis, there is still some cause for concern, Weiss opines.
The Celtics didn’t play Al Horford or Robert Williams on back-to-backs last season, but it would be hard to replicate that system with Porzingis unless Williams is ready to play every night. Boston’s approach to Porzingis’ injury goes beyond simply when he plays, but also how the Celtics are able to utilize him on offense and defense. Having Porzingis drop on pick-and-rolls on defense and allowing him to be a spot-up shooter on offense could prevent the 7’3″ Porzingis from suffering further injuries, Weiss writes.
The Celtics traded long-time rotation piece Marcus Smart to bring in Porzingis, a move with an eye toward raising their floor. According to Weiss, Porzingis should be viewed as a franchise cornerstone and his injury is nothing to take lightly.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- In an interview with Heavy Sports’ Steve Bulpett, former Rockets head coach Kevin McHale offered his perspective on the fallout between the Sixers‘ James Harden and Daryl Morey. McHale coached Harden and worked under Morey at the same time between 2012 and 2015 and gave unique insight into the situation. “James wanted a big extension from Philly, and Philly wouldn’t give it to him, and that’s not a Daryl decision,” Morey said. “Daryl’s got a part of that, of course, but that’s an owner decision. So (Harden) was really mad, saying Daryl lied to him, but, you know, maybe they saw Game 7 against the Celtics (9 points on 3-for-11 shooting in a 24-point loss) and said, ‘I’m not interested in that.’” McHale went on to discuss numerous aspects regarding the situation, including how it impacts Joel Embiid and Nick Nurse, as well as detailing his own experiences with coaching Harden. I recommend reading the interview in full, as McHale delves deep into his personal dealings with both members of the fallout.
- Weiss also offered his perspective on the situation regarding Harden and Morey, juxtaposing the Sixers and the Celtics. Harden marks the latest player to want out of Philadelphia, joining the likes of Markelle Fultz, Horford and Ben Simmons before him. The Celtics haven’t been faced with such issues in a while, but Weiss writes that they have their own problems to take care of. Malcolm Brogdon and then Smart both felt blindsided by the Porzingis trade, Weiss writes, and general manager Brad Stevens needs to make sure he doesn’t lose his locker room after such incidents.
- The Raptors have the fewest U.S. nationally televised games in the NBA in the 2023/24 season. Toronto has one TNT game and three NBA TV games. This upcoming season marks the fewest U.S. nationally televised games the Raptors have had in a decade, since the start of the Masai Ujiri era, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca (Twitter link).
“According to Weiss, Porzingis should be viewed as a franchise cornerstone and his injury is nothing to take lightly.“
Really ???? guy hasn’t played a game yet. This is not a good sign for Boston. It’s good he is treating it now. But this thing can act up all yr. Especially for centers it will linger. He will need surgery at some point. I’m surprised they won’t do the surgery now.
Yeah. That was a weird article by someone who obviously never heard of Porzingis until about 2 weeks ago.
He does seem like he’s followed basketball a few weeks longer though.
Sixers trade Harden for Siakim??
Raptors need a PG/SG to lead them around, playmake, open the floor with a 3 point shot and so on. Sixers just need to move on from Harden. Nick Nurse obviously knows Pascal very well.
Sixers then are overloaded with PF’s and need to make a trade or two…
Tobias Harris for Kyle Lowry
Miami have been looking for an answer at OF and Martin filled in well but is still kinda undersized and not ready for that step up. Tobias gives them a good starter, 3rd scoring option and would fit in well. Kyle links back up with Nick and Pascal and has a chance to play for his home town team in Philly.
Lowry Maxey Tucker Pascal Embiid
Solid defensively and it gets even better with Pat Bev, Melton and others on the bench. Great first option in Embiid and Pascal and Maxey are ideal 2nd and 3rd options. Lowry and PJ both very experienced championship winners that would fit well.
People always forget that siakam doesn’t like Nurse and actually punched him in the face last year at practice. The more likely deal with the raptors would be
GTJ
Chris Boucher
Otto Porter
For
Harden
Philly gets role players it desperately needs and GTJ could slide in beside maxey. Philly doesn’t have any leverage so they’re not going to get the type of return most would expect.
The Raptors would have zero interest in Harden and Siakim is worth way more. Raptors have a young, rebuilding squad and they are trying to give more ball handling and scoring opportunities for Barnes and Anunoby so Harden would negate that. And no way Harden would be happy in Toronto on a young team that isn’t going to compete for a title for the next couple seasons.
He’d be ok… he only has one year left on his deal.
“Thankfully, in Porzingis’ case, the Celtics are hopeful history won’t repeat itself.”
Is it me?
Seriously? Do you think that team even makes the playoffs?
Why bother creating average teams instead of rebuilding?
A lot of knowledgeable Raptors fans on here. Can’t even spell SiakAm correctly. Also why on earth would they trade their best asset for a guy turning 34 who is a serial malcontent with limited upside. The Raptors need picks and youth I’d they move off Pascal.
I don’t believe the Sixers have the pieces nor will they attain the pieces necessary to trade for Siakam or OG. If they got either, it would be via FA.
There may be something to the Nurse/Siakam/OG relationship that would not make it a match, but those are the two top FAs before options.
I think the Sixers are 100% committed to opening up cap space next season. So, all these Harden trades that involve Powell should be thrown out. Any with GTJ, throw that out. They want cap flexibility.
Unless they get a player actually worth divesting cap space beyond this season, I can’t see them doing some deal just to do a deal.
If they’re high on Herro or Simons, maybe they get involved in the Dame trade. Doubt it. But maybe.
I don’t think Harden becomes a Clipper if there isn’t a 1st and Mann involved. I don’t think the deal happens either unless they also unload PJ Tucker.
Harden can think everything is FUBAR until the checks stop coming in. Then he’ll fat suit up and show up.
Totally agree and would add why should they.