Inside The Celtics

Brad Stevens Discusses Kristaps Porzingis' Role with Celtics, Provides Rehab Update

The Celtics shook up the core of their roster by trading Marcus Smart to add Kristaps Porzingis, a gamble they believe boosts their championship odds.

Bobby Krivitsky

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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While trading Marcus Smart was an emotionally anguishing decision, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis gives the Celtics a center who, like Al Horford, spaces the floor, is an effective facilitator, capable of acting as an offensive hub, and is also someone who puts pressure on defenses to stay connected to him when he's screening.

Even if they do, while they can pressure Porzingis to make him uncomfortable, being seven-foot-three is an advantage whether he's popping beyond the arc or rolling to the rim.

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Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The former All-Star's presence should go a long way toward curing what's plagued Boston most in the playoffs recently.

The Celtics' primary pick-up this summer, from a personnel perspective at least, is also an effective defender in drop coverage, is better on the perimeter than given credit for or one might expect for a player his size and brings more positional balance to Boston's roster.

In an appearance on Jones & Mego to support WEEI's Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, discussed the team's trade for Porzingis.

It's interesting to hear Stevens note the former fourth overall pick's ability to play the five and the four, allowing them to mix and match Porzingis, Horford, and Robert Williams and stay bigger for longer, something Boston's best groups didn't afford it last season.

Danny Ainge's successor also praised Porzingis, who's in his prime but is prepared to sacrifice and is fully committed to doing whatever it takes to win an NBA title, stating, "Kristaps seems to be in a really good place. He is focused on what matters. He is coming here to do his part and help us win."

Stevens also provided an update on Porzingis' right foot plantar fasciitis, an injury the former said he was unaware of when trading for the latter.

It's an ailment preventing the seven-foot-three center from suiting up for the Latvian Men's National Basketball Team, who's without their best player as they make their first appearance in the FIBA World Cup.

The healing process requires him to rehab for four to six weeks. Last week, Porzingis spoke about his recovery with Sporta Studija, conveying the following (translated through Google).

"The foot hurts after exercise. I feel almost nothing when walking. It's a really funny injury," he expressed. "I have an idea what the origin of the injury might be, but it's something that builds up over the course of a career and pops out at one point. It got worse during the training process - when it started to hurt, then I couldn't get rid of the inflammation either."

Stevens also provided an update on the Latvian native's rehab, voicing, "He put the opportunity here and took away any chance of having lingering effects by addressing it now, and it shouldn't be a big deal."

The Celtics' president of basketball operations also confirmed the organization expects Porzingis to be ready for day 1 of training camp. 

Further Reading

Kristaps Porzingis Speaks on Recovery from Foot Injury: 'I Couldn't Get Rid of the Inflammation'

Celtics Meeting with Three of the Top Remaining Free Agents This Week

Here’s What Blake Griffin Had to Say About His Time in Boston

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

Highlighting the Marquee Matchups on Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

Rick Barry Discusses Jaylen Brown's Record-Breaking Contract Extension, Kristaps Porzingis Trade, Two Suggested Superstar Additions for Boston Celtics, Who's Face of the NBA

Examining How Celtics' Starting Lineup Might Shapeshift This Season

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball

Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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