he Atlanta Hawks’ offseason maneuver to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics has dramatically reshaped their roster—but recent rumors underscore one point with absolute clarity: the franchise still doesn’t fully trust Porzingis’s availability.
🧩 What’s Going On with Porzingis?
Porzingis was sent to Atlanta in a three-way deal involving Boston and Brooklyn. The Hawks received him and a second-round pick, parting with veteran Georges Niang and a future pick. Upon arrival, Hawks GM Onsi Saleh praised Porzingis as a “unique and versatile talent with championship pedigree” whose floor-spacing and rim protection adds a whole new dimension to the team.
Off the court, Porzingis stated the move “felt like the perfect scenario” and expressed confidence that he would “fit right in” with Atlanta’s offensive system. He followed up tellingly in Latvia that he initially expected to land with the Spurs before the Hawks swooped in—a “nice surprise” that he sees as less pressure than Boston’s championship-or-bust environment.
🏀 Why the Hawk Caution?
Despite Porzingis’s undeniable talent—averaging around 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season in Boston—his availability has long been a concern due to a litany of injuries and occasional odd health setbacks. He’s played fewer than 60 games in six of the past seven seasons. Those durability issues convinced the Hawks they needed a backup plan.
That backup plan is Onyeka Okongwu, who was retained to serve as both starter and insurance policy at center. Having a reliable second big man affords the Hawks flexibility and an out if Porzingis struggles to stay on the court.
Leave a Reply