Kristaps Porzingis on Teaming with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: 'I Think It Can Be a Great Combination'

The Celtics believe Kristaps Porzingis can prove the missing puzzle piece in their pursuit of Banner 18.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The night the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis, the former All-Star was back home in Latvia. He had until midnight to exercise his $36 million player option. Not doing so without an agreement to move back the deadline for his decision, in all likelihood, would've ended Boston's pursuit of the seven-foot-three center.

But a framework that included sending Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers fell through because Los Angeles didn't have enough time to complete a physical with the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, who's dealing with a forearm strain that may lead to surgery.

The Celtics and Wizards then pivoted to a deal where the Grizzlies took the Clippers' place, and Marcus Smart, going to Memphis, replaced Malcolm Brogdon in the trade.

"It was a crazy day for me," expressed Porzingis at Thursday's introductory press conference. I was about to go to sleep. And then I heard the news that the date, the trade didn't go through. So that kept me up for a little bit longer. But then, by like 4 a.m. back home, I was like, 'Okay, I'll go to sleep and see what happens and wake up in the morning.' And I saw that it happened; the trade happened. And I was just extremely excited and extremely happy."

In parting with Smart, who had been the heart and soul of the team, for an upgrade in talent, Boston's making a three-pronged gamble.

And as Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, reiterated on Thursday, the franchise has been diligent about making sure the puzzle pieces fit rather than just accumulating talented players.

Most importantly, that means meshing with Boston's All-NBA wings, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

While discussing sharing the floor with those two, Porzingis conveyed, "I want to come here to make life easier for those guys. Hopefully, with my skill set and my talent, I can take some pressure off of those guys. And that's it; I come here to try to make this team better. And I'm excited to play with such high-level guys that have been there from year to year and have that experience already. I think it can be a great combination."

As for how they'll help him, the former fourth-overall pick stated playing alongside Tatum and Brown will make it "much easier. The same way last year, playing with Brad(ley) (Beal) and Kuz (Kyle Kuzma), they helped me.

"(The) same way (that) Jayson and Jaylen -- they're super high-level guys that are going to, pretty much, have a whole team, the opposite team, all of their attention is going to be on them, and that might make me offensively much more open. And I look forward to hopefully doing the same back to them and drawing some attention, as I said. So, yeah, it's gonna be a little bit of time until we find that chemistry on the floor. But it's going to be -- it could be a very good mix, for sure."

Further Reading

Kristaps Porzingis Says Celtics Are Getting a Player Whose Best is Yet to Come

Kristaps Porzingis Says Joining Celtics Was an 'Easy Decision'

Grant Williams Discusses Marcus Smart's Departure, Free Agency, and Recovery from Hand Surgery

The Latest Intel on Celtics' Restricted Free Agent Grant Williams

Jordan Walsh Let's Celtics Fan Know What He Brings to the Table: 'A Guy Who Wants to Do Whatever It Takes to Win'

Jordan Walsh Discusses Getting Drafted by Celtics, His Welcome to Boston

Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis

Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'

After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?

Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade from Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18