Marcus Morris Critiques Porzingis’ Fit with the Celtics

Nearly all Celtics players, except for Jayson Tatum, have found their names in trade discussions this offseason.

Former Celtics forward Marcus Morris Sr. believes that there is a key player on Boston’s roster who should be traded this summer while the team aims to alleviate payroll and avoid costly luxury-tax fees.

In a recent appearance on Yahoo! Sports’ “Good Word With Goodwill,” Morris didn’t hold back regarding his thoughts on Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis and the team’s need for roster changes.

“I don’t think any major changes are necessary,” Morris stated. “To be frank, Porzingis isn’t a true Celtic. He does not bring what the team requires from him.” He suggested exploring trade possibilities for Porzingis, but expressed skepticism about the return the Celtics might receive.

Despite Porzingis playing a crucial role in the Celtics’ 2024 championship run, his time in Boston has been plagued by injuries and health issues. He participated in only seven of the 19 playoff games that year due to calf and ankle injuries that eventually required surgery.

Though Porzingis returned for the 2024-25 season, his participation was limited due to recovery from ankle surgery and other health concerns. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, but struggled during the playoffs, averaging 7.7 points and shooting just 15.4% from beyond the arc.

When healthy, Porzingis possesses the skills to be a game-changer; however, with a hefty contract exceeding $30 million for the upcoming season and uncertainty surrounding Tatum’s health, the Celtics might consider trading him to free up salary cap space.

Another potential trade candidate for the Celtics is Jrue Holiday, given his age (35) and considerable contract. However, Morris believes Holiday could still be beneficial for the team moving forward, citing his unmatched abilities on both ends of the court.