Former NBAer, Wizards broadcaster Drew Gooden a fan of Celtics trade for Kristaps Porzingis

While some fans of the Boston Celtics are worried about the trade that sent out Marcus Smart to bring in Kristaps Porzingis after the latter’s recent foot injury, not everyone is down on the move for the Celtics. Among them is former NBAer and current NBC Sports Washington broadcaster Drew Gooden, who shared his view of the trade in a recent interview with Bally Sports’ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.

“I like Porzingis (in Boston) because they didn’t have to give up too many pieces,” he said. “I know Marcus Smart was a huge, huge, HUGE emotional piece I would say that you cannot probably replace.”

“But when you get a guy like Porzingis who ultimately can play alongside Jaylen (Brown) and you already know who else is over there in (Jayson) Tatum … I say they’re going to be a tough team to beat in the East.”

Given that the most important ability the Latvian big man can bring to the team is his availability, Porzingis’ decision to sit out 2023 FIBA World Cup should go a long way toward ensuring he is indeed able to play next to Tatum and Brown next season.

Something, it seems, Gooden is already a believer in.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire