Kristaps Porzingis may be a needle-mover for the Atlanta Hawks next season. The Hawks landed the Latvian big man in a deal with the Boston Celtics back in June, trading Boston Georges Niang, who they later flipped for cap relief and R.J. Luis Jr.
Atlanta’s big swing projects them to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference in the 2025-26 campaign. Porzingis should be a great fit for them on both sides of the ball. He’ll be a tremendous pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop partner for All-Star guard Trae Young and will be able to mitigate Young’s defensive shortcomings as a strong rim protector.
As he was in Boston, KP will be a fantastic asset for the Hawks as they look to compete to win the East -- when he’s on the floor. The unfortunate reality that comes with having Porzingis on the roster is that he’s not always healthy.
Hawks fans are going to have to learn from experience, just as the Celtics faithful did
In both of his seasons with the Celtics, the big man’s ability to contribute was significantly hindered in the playoffs. During the team’s 2024 NBA Championship run, Porzingis missed 13 of their 20 postseason games. This past spring, he wasn’t sidelined, but he might as well have been. The 29-year-old battled a lingering illness that seriously hindered his ability to contribute. He looked like a zombie for the majority of Boston’s playoff run, averaging just 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game -- far below his usual standard of play.
With that being said, the Celtics still managed to win the title without him in 2024, due to their depth at the center spot. Players like Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and even Xavier Tillman Sr. were able to carry the burden with Porzingis unable to suit up.
Atlanta doesn’t currently have that same luxury. Their center rotation is quite thin, even with Porzingis projected to start. Aside from Onyeka Okungwu, the Hawks don’t have any NBA-ready centers.
Mouhamed Gueye has appeared in just 39 games over two seasons as a pro, and rookie Asa Newell is more of a forward than a center. Maybe these two will benefit from added opportunity in the games where KP isn’t available, but those unavailable nights seem inevitable at this point.
Porzingis made just 99 of 164 regular-season appearances for the Cs in his short tenure. He’s appeared in more than 57 games just once since the 2017-18 season. When he’s on the court, Porzingis is a dynamic game-changer. As he continues to age, the WHEN will likely become less and less frequent.
If the Hawks are serious about competing for a title, then adding some extra insurance at the center position would be in their best interest.