BOSTON — The Celtics are not asking Kristaps Porzingis to replace Marcus Smart but the two are inextricably tied based on the three-team trade that delivered the 7-foot-3 center to Boston. After being introduced Thursday evening at the Auerbach Center, Porzingis stressed that his goal is to win over a new fan base by simply being himself on the court.
“I think I’m going to have to prove it, first, on the court and off the court,” Porzingis told NBC Sports Boston. “Of course, you cannot replace Marcus Smart. He was a special player and special for this organization and this community … I look forward to also bringing high effort and high energy and hopefully give a fire to this team and gain the fans’ respect and support.
“As I said, you cannot replace him. But I look forward to coming in here as myself and gaining the fans’ trust.”
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During a post-introduction sitdown, Porzingis detailed how he went to sleep after the first iteration of a Boston trade crumbled with hopes that he would still be heading to Boston when he awoke. Porzingis said he went to bed around 4 a.m. in his native Latvia and awoke to news of the new deal.
“I could have ended up somewhere else in the morning but I was hoping for this option to happen. And it happened,” said Porzingis. “I woke up and had an amazing day because of those good news that I received in the morning.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said the team is hopeful to retain Porzingis long term and suggested the two sides would visit extension options this summer. Porzingis told NBC Sports Boston that he would like to be in Boston long-term.
“Of course. Of course,” said Porzingis. “The idea of being here for a long time, it would be what I want. And when the time comes, it’s hopefully going to be a discussion and we’ll see.”
Porzingis opted into a $36 million final year of his current contract. The Celtics can offer him up to a 2-year, $77 million extension this summer, or explore longer-term options in December.
Porzingis expressed a desire to…
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