Bleacher report gives bad grades to Porzingis and Irving acquisitions

 According to Bleacher Reports' Greg Swartz, the Celtics acquiring Kristaps Porzingas for Marcus Smart - and the Mavericks paying Kyrie Irving $126 million over three years (with a 3rd-year player option, no less) will both "look the worst in 3 years".

Let's start with Irving (per Swartz):

"This was a desperate move by the Mavericks, who were desperate not to lose another star guard in free agency. Unlike with Jalen Brunson, however, no other team was likely to give Irving this kind of money.

Something will eventually affect Irving's availability. We just don't know what yet.

Tying perhaps the most unpredictable player in the NBA to Luka Dončić is a dangerous game to play for Dallas, a franchise that is still widely carried by its Slovenian superstar. If (when?) Irving grows unhappy or becomes a distraction, the Mavs can only hope that Dončić doesn't ask out as well."

I simply cannot disagree with this projection. Kyrie Irving seems to eventually be unhappy wherever he goes. The grass is always greener somewhere else. He cannot be relied upon to remain content and available. Luka Doncic and the Mavs may be in for it.

I must disagree (to a point) with Swartz' evaluation of the Porzingis-for-Smart deal (per Swartz):

When Smart, Jayson Tatum and Brown all shared the floor this postseason, the Celtics had a net rating of plus-7.4 (90th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass). When the two star forwards were on the court without Smart, that number tumbled to minus-0.9 (47th percentile).

The Celtics will miss both Smart's presence on the court and in the locker room. This trade will have a major impact on their finances as well.

While Smart was owed a team-friendly average of nearly $20 million per year for the next three seasons, a two-year, $60 million extension for Porziņģis brings his total to $96 million over the next three seasons. That's $12 million more per year than Smart, which is significant when taking a look at Boston's financial future.

Brad Stevens had to do something, but I still lament Marcus leaving Boston. But if Kristaps can stay healthy - and the synergy works together with The Jay Team - it could work to get the Boston Celtics "over the top" to latch onto Banner 18.