The 2024-25 NBA season is still months away, but the Boston Celtics may have to start their pursuit of back-to-back championships without centre Kristaps Porzingis.
The Latvian big man had several injuries throughout the Green Team’s championship run, including missing the entire Eastern Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals due to a soleus strain. Then, in the 2024 NBA Finals, Porzingis sustained a torn retinaculum and a dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in Game 2, which sidelined him until he triumphantly returned in Game 5.
According to The Ryen Russillo Podcast, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens believes Porzingis will not be fully ready by late October next season.
“Kristaps, after his surgery, we don’t know exactly when he’ll be back, but he’ll probably miss at least the very start of the season,” the coach said.
During a Tuesday morning press conference, Boston’s de facto general manager did not specify a specific date for Porzingis’ surgery, but did clarify that it will be “soon.”
“Kristaps is still in the middle of consulting with some different doctors and specialists but we anticipate surgery will be soon,” according to him. “And then we’ll have more of an update for timeline of recovery after the surgery.”
The Celtics themselves stated that surgery was looming:
“Surgery will be performed in the coming days, and further updates will be provided when available,” read a team statement on X.
Despite his health difficulties, Porzingis was instrumental in putting the Celtics over the hump. He was Boston’s third-leading scorer during the regular season and gave the team with tremendous versatility at centre.
The 2018 All-Star was a post-up threat, rim protector, sharpshooter, and deadly scorer who dominated lesser defenders. The only thing that slowed him down last season was his health, as few defences could stop him when partnered with Celtics players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Stevens and his team want to keep that terrific core, so they’ll do whatever to keep Porzingis healthy. The Celtics went an astounding 10-2 in the playoffs without “The Unicorn” on the floor and were arguably not even at their peak when they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Finals.
With Porzingis, Boston went 6-1 in the playoffs. Simply put, the Celtics understand how terrific they can be with the 7-footer and are ready to rest him next season if it means he’ll be available later.
What implications does Porzingis’ health have on the Celtics’ 2024 offseason?
The Celtics’ depth allowed them to be so successful even without Porzingis. Al Horford, a veteran centre, is closer to 40 than 35 years old, but he plays like he’s in his prime.
His defence remains good, he is not hesitant to work in the paint, and his three-point shot cannot be overlooked. With his extensive league experience and determination to return next season, he is an excellent backup to Porzingis.
Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. are the two centres behind Horford. These two younger bigs can play solid minutes when called upon, but they’ve never been true starters in the NBA. They are both free agents this summer and may be granted short-term deals given Porzingis’ potential absence.
There’s also 7-footer Neemias Queta, who was promoted to Boston’s postseason squad late in the regular season. The 24-year-old’s deal includes a club option, which the Celtics may or may not exercise this offseason.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Boston’s big men, Stevens may target a centre in the draft. Yves Missi, a 7-footer from Baylor, might go late in the first round, and the Celtics just happen to have the 30th overall pick.
No matter where the Celtics look for answers, Stevens sees Porzingis’ setback as an opportunity for his team to experiment.
“That’ll be a great opportunity for us to do things differently and have to find different solutions,” Stevens told Russillo after noting that Porzingis could sit to start the 2024-25 season.
With the draft and free agency officially underway, the Celtics’ path to become the first team to win back-to-back NBA championships since 2018 begins today.
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