By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Visibly excited and ready to help the Boston Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis opened up about his role in his fourth NBA team.
“The opportunity to play for an already really good team, to be able to add to that, and hopefully to help these guys, make their life even easier,” commented the Latvian forward/center in the introductory press conference held in Auerbach Center Thursday, “And just being in a high-level organization like Boston, historic and iconic franchise, made it extremely easy for me to make that decision.”
The Celtics acquired Porzingis in a three-team trade officially completed last week. Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations, rushed to reveal intentions to offer a contract extension, hoping to keep the newcomer beyond the 2023-24 season.
“We will have a chance to talk,” confirmed Stevens in the press conference, “Obviously, we really like Kristaps. We want him here. Obviously, we will have him next year and hopefully beyond. But we will see all that.”
Shifting to new jersey
Porzingis was presented with the jersey number 8 with his usual number 6 being retired for Bill Russell.
“Honestly, it didn’t have much meaning behind it. There were only a couple of single-digit numbers available. It was between four and eight,” he commented on his decision.
Joining forces with Jayson Tatum and remaining stars, returning to the Playoffs can be considered extremely likely, after only two postseason appearances, both with the Dallas Mavericks alongside Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic in 2020 and 2021, throughout his NBA run. The Washington Wizards and New York Knicks stints instead held fruitless.
“I believe I have some great, great, high-level years ahead of me,” stressed Porzingis looking forward to the most intriguing challenge of his career.
Photo Credit: Getty Images