Celtics Mailbag: Blake Griffin return odds, Kristaps Porzingis risk

It’s the dog days of the NBA offseason but that won’t stop us from breaking things down in our weekly Celticsmailbag. If you have questions about the Celtics or NBA, free agency or anything else email [email protected] or tweet @briantrobb

Is the Porzingis trade a gamble you would have made? Is he a lock to be on the floor to close out games this season? — Will H

I would have done it based on the additional draft compensation the team got with Smart. However, I’m not crazy about giving Porzingis an extension before he even steps on the floor but the guess here is that was a requirement for him opting in and a trade getting done.

The big question in my mind now is how exactly the team will fortify the roster to help preserve Porzingis and company for when they need them the most. Some of that will be dependent on how they use all of the excess draft picks they have assembled in the past few months as well as remaining free agent signings. Trading for Porzingis is a higher-upside play that should improve the offense on paper. However, this is also a guy who was a pure salary dump by Dallas just two years ago. Still, he’s a better player than I felt like the team could fetch for Smart on the trade market this summer so it’s one you roll the dice for as long as you use other assets.

He certainly should be a lock to be on the floor at the end of most games, barring a defensive mismatch here and there. If you are paying a guy this much, he’s someone you should be able to trust in those spots.

Hi Brian,

What do you think is going on with Blake? Is he waiting for more money or playing time from another team? I think he’s perfect for what he’s got to give at this point. Thanks - Andy

The Blake Griffin rumblings have been frequent in the past week with Marc Stein among others reporting the Celtics are open to a return. The team also created an extra roster spot for him potentially by waiving Justin Champagne ahead of training camp.

At this point, I think he’s just taking his time like he did last summer. He’s not going to get anything more than the veteran’s minimum from any team at this point of his career. It’s also tough to envision him getting much of a bigger role on a contender than he would in Boston given the current complexion of the roster. With the free agent and trade market at a crawl at this point though, it’s possible another big deal (Harden or Lillard) could shake up a couple of different rosters and create some opportunities. He took his time last season to pick a landing spot, waiting until a week into training camp to make that choice. A similar patient play appears to be the move this year as well but I’d bet on him ultimately landing in Boston if he does decide to play.

Is there anyway Boston and LAC could work out a Powell-Brogdon swap. (Maybe picks involved)

Brogdon’s health terrifies me i’d rather flip that into a guy like Powell. Likely would have to include picks to get it done. — Chris M

It’s going to be fascinating to see if/when the Clippers try to revisit the Brogdon situation. They are still in a holding pattern on the James Harden trade talks with the 76ers so it’s hard to find Brogdon landing there if that deal does go down. If things fall apart there, its possible Brogdon could become a target again and while the Celtics are saying he’s part of their plans for now, it’s hard to see him staying here long term.

I agree with you about Powell being a good fit but his long-term contract makes him a tough fit on the payroll beyond this season for a bench player.

What is your over/under on Pritchard minutes next season. — Florida Man

He hit 19 minutes per game during his rookie year so I think slightly below that is a safer target. Let’s put it at 18. He will likely get a far bigger chunk on nights when Malcolm Brogdon is resting (which could be a bunch with back-to-backs).

Hello Brian. What do you think’s the most important thing the team must work on in training camp & preseason before the season starts? Who would you like to see them sign as 14th/15th men? Should they go deep into the rotation to start the season, to see what the young guys have? — Eddy FB

I think figuring out a good defensive formula with Porzingis on the floor is going to be huge since that’s a big adjustment from past years. I think Blake Griffin and a camp competition at the wing spot is probably the best the team can do for 15th roster spot barring another trade. I think going nine guys per night should be plenty. The young guys should get plenty of chances on back-to-backs with one of Horford/Rob Williams resting.