The Boston Celtics and Kristaps Porzingis are finalizing a two-year extension worth about $60 million, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Boston Celtics and Kristaps Porzingis are expected to finalize a two-year, approximately $60 million extension, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2023
Karalis' analysis
I was expecting a two-year extension somewhere around $50 million so this isn't that far off. The two-year extension was the maximum extension Boston could offer, and it keeps him in Boston, theoretically, for at least the next three years. There is always a chance that in a couple of seasons, right before Jason Tatum's supermax extension begins, the Celtics will reevaluate their finances and go in a different direction.
“We're really lucky. We've got the green light to continue to add,” Brad Stevens said during the Porzingis introductory press conference. “I think that the biggest part for us is making sure that we are smart about building a team. … We were deep into the tax last year. We'll be into it this year and have the green light to continue to do it. We just want to be building a team that makes sense playing together. And sometimes that means spending more and sometimes that means figuring out that you've got the guys to build around and then putting the right people around.”
This two-year window gives Boston a lot of time to reevaluate its team makeup. They are not going to be able to carry Jaylen Brown on a supermax deal (which hasn't been done as of his writing), Tatum on a supermax deal, and Porzingis on a $30 million contract and stay below the second apron. They're going to have to make a choice, and it's not out of the question for them to decide Tatum and Porzingis work better together than Tatum and Brown.
“We're trying to win and everybody is very supportive of that from top down,” Stevens said. “It starts with Wyc and Pags and our ownership group and we're trying to win and we're going to try to do the best to put our best foot forward to do that. The required part of that is the right talent to build around and we're very fortunate to have a lot of talented players … So building a team around that that all fits together in our best way we can is what we're trying to do. So it's about winning.”
Whichever way they go, this extension allows them the time to make the decision and pivot in whichever direction they want.
The extension has no bearing on this upcoming season, as Porzingis is in the final year of his previous deal.
