The Boston Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis in a cost-cutting move this offseason, but the deal appears to have come at the perfect time. Fans saw KP limp through the playoffs with a mysterious illness weighing him down. Things failed to significantly improve during EuroBasket where Porzingis was up and down. He struggled to make shots and impress scouts in the latest sign that his best days are behind him.
The Unicorn turned 30 in August and has a lengthy injury history. He has appeared in more than 57 games just once since 2018 and averages just 52.5 games per season over the last six years. The injuries are frustrating for fans, and it made sense for Boston to move on even if they don’t have a trusted option at the five.
Porzingis is a unique talent. He can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and score 20 every night when healthy. That is what fans remember, but the Hawks may never see that player. He won’t be as bad as he was in the playoffs, but Porzingis’ best days have passed.
Kristaps Porzingis is falling apart and won’t bounce back
Last season, KP averaged just 28.8 minutes per game, which was his lowest mark since his rookie season. Injuries are to blame, but the Hawks have Onyeka Okongwu eager to get playing time at the five. It could provide the Hawks with a chance to limit Porzingis' minutes in hopes of maximizing his games played.
Porzingis has lost a step. Expect his block numbers to go down as he transitions into more of a strictly paint defender. KP will hang around the rim, but rotating over for blocks will get more difficult every year.
The Hawks are excited to have a pick-and-pop threat to pair with Trae Young, but they can expect peak KP. His scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking, and efficiency are all likely to dip in Atlanta. The Celtics had several players pulling defenders away from Porzingis. He won’t have the same luxury on the Hawks, even if they are improved.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst hit the nail on the head when he noted that KP was still not feeling himself months after the mysterious illness. It was great to see him on the floor and playing minutes, but whatever is going on looks like it is still a problem. That may never go away.
The Boston Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis to save money with Jayson Tatum sidelined for the entire season. It was a wise move as the 30-year-old struggled during EuroBasket and hasn’t been an All-Star since 2018. The Unicorn is still a unique talent, but one on the downside of his career with no hopes of putting up the monster numbers fans remember from his best days with the Cs.
Sadly, the injuries are catching up to KP. All fans can do is hope for the best, but expect the downhill trajectory to continue. Porzingis wants to prove everyone wrong, but the signs are not there.