Celtics Trade Kristaps Porzingis To Hawks

The Celtics have traded Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. They are now out of the salary cap’s second apron.

Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and draft picks. 

Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Celtics this season while shooting 48.3% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc and 80.9% from the free-throw line. 

A one-time NBA All-Star, Porzingis has played for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Celtics. He has career averages of 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks.

The 29-year-old Porzingis will make $30.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. He helped Boston win the championship last year against Dallas. 

Porzingis struggled in this year’s playoffs because of an illness. He averaged only 7.7 points in 11 games against the Orlando Magic and Knicks. 

The good news is that Porzingis will be playing in EuroBasket in August, a sign that he’s feeling much better. 

The Hawks now have Porzingis, Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher. The team missed the playoffs this year for the second season in a row. 

Atlanta hasn’t won a postseason series since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.