Boston Celtics tie down Kristaps Porzingis to a bumper $60m, two-year contract

The Boston Celtics have signed newly acquired forward/center Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year extension, a deal that runs through the 2025-26 season and will see the player earn a total of $96million.

The club did not disclose financial terms, however agents for the 2017-18 All-Star told ESPN the two-year extension is worth $60million. The extension kicks in for the 2024-25 season.

The Celtics acquired Porzingis from the Washington Wizards last month in a three-team trade that saw guard Marcus Smart end up in Memphis.

Porzingis opted into the $36million player option on his contract for the upcoming season to get the trade done.

Porzingis, who turns 28 in August, averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game last season for the Wizards.

Kristaps Porzingis gets a pat on the back after being introduced to the media in Boston

The Celtics are hoping Porzingis can carry on his impressive form with the Wizards last year

Porzingis tweeted his excitement at arriving in Boston to begin an NBA title run next season

He has averaged 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds in seven seasons with the New York Knicks (2015-18), Dallas Mavericks (2019-22) and Wizards.

The Celtics will hope he plays a starring role for the team next season, alongside All-Star teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. 

Speaking at a recent press conference in the wake of his arrival, he told reporters: ‘I think these are the best years for a basketball player.

‘You are physically there, and mentally, you are getting to a different level. I think the work paid off for me. I looked at my game, I looked at how I could be more efficient and just really analyzed myself, and it paid off last season, all the work I put in off the court to stay healthy. 

‘My body is maturing, and getting to that age helped, and I believe I have some great, high-level years ahead of me.’