10:21pm: The trade is now official, according to press release from the Celtics and Grizzlies.
The deal will send Kanter to Portland, Hezonja and the rights to Bane to Memphis, and two future second-round picks to Boston. The Grizzlies will also send cash to Portland in the move.
One of the two second-rounders headed from Memphis to Boston is the Grizzlies’ own 2025 pick. The other will be the more favorable of the following:
- Houston’s 2023 second-rounder.
- The less favorable of Memphis’ and Dallas’ 2023 second-rounders.
2:46pm: The Trail Blazers are reuniting with veteran center Enes Kanter, having reached a deal to acquire him from the Celtics, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
As Wojnarowski explains, the deal will be folded into the draft-night agreement between the Celtics and Grizzlies that saw Memphis land the No. 30 pick and select TCU’s Desmond Bane. The Grizzlies will receive Mario Hezonja from Portland in the swap, while the Celtics will get a future draft consideration from Memphis.
[RELATED: 2020 NBA Offseason Trades]
Kanter, 28, enjoyed a brief, productive stint in Portland to finish the 2018/19 season, averaging 11.4 PPG and 9.7 RPG in 16 playoff games that year as the team made it to the Western Conference Finals. The two sides were unable to come to an agreement in free agency a year ago, resulting in Kanter signing with the Celtics. A year later, he’s back with the Blazers.
The move will give Portland a veteran backup for starting center Jusuf Nurkic and is probably a strong signal that free agent big man Hassan Whiteside isn’t coming back.
The Celtics, meanwhile, having already traded away Vincent Poirier this week, have created a little extra cap and roster flexibility in advance of free agency, though they’ll need to add a frontcourt player or two to make up for losing a pair of centers.
Hezonja and Kanter both exercised player options for 2020/21 earlier this week, so they’re on expiring contracts. Hezonja will earn $1.98MM, while Kanter will make just over $5MM. The Grizzlies will take on Hezonja using one of their trade exceptions and Portland will do the same for Kanter.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Back on Portland should be interesting with Kanter and Covington
Do they have an issue?
Very good trade! Getting rid of the worst player in the league- Mario Herzonia for a 1/2 decent but positional need. Kanter’s is suspect at best but his offensive put backs very good. Solid move.
Celtics are def up to something but if it doesn’t work out they’re going to look bad.
They simply have too many players with guaranteed contracts. Makes sense to ship out the guys the aren’t going to play
I think there is more to it. At this point, the only bigs they have are Theis, Rob Williams and Tacko and they just dumped Kanter and Poirer for nothing.
I bet they are after Marc Gasol. That would give them a weapon against the Sixers while weakening the Raptors. Plus the playmaker abilities of Gasol would fit well with the Celtics.
Good call.
Depends if he stays or goes to Spain…could just be rumors for leverage
Just go ahead and type the word “definitely”. It’s not really that hard.
I like the move. Guy was a monster off the bench for them 2 years ago and that was when he was fasting for a holiday
Celtics are a mess
If they are a mess, then there are at least 20 bigger messes in the NBA.
It seems like there are plenty of messes in the NBA and the Celtics appear to be one of them.
Not in this case. Google Hayward…or you know…something.
This comment might not age well.
right now, for sure. danny seems to think every other team has a hard on for middle of the road players. as long as he doesn’t trade Tatum or Brown, everybody else should be available
Haha, Celtics are a mess when they make ECF and are about to flip Hayward for better assets. Got ya.
Hayward opted out.
Unless they do a sign and trade, which I don’t see the Celtics doing, they won’t be getting assets for Hayward.
Google it.
Good move, kanters best days are behind hin
Celtics to sign Hassan Whiteside for 6mil?
The Warriors make a lot of sense, or Marc Gasol. A veteran would help stabilize the FrontCourt. They also need a veteran front court player.
Wouldn’t it have made more sense to show him in his Blazers Jersey
it’s funny to think that enes kanter is only 28 years old….
I know what you mean. I follow baseball more than basketball. Players that I remember as rookies, have sons that are now looked at as Managers.
I’d have traded Hezonja for a value menu chicken sandwich. So Kanter is nice too.