Hawks’ Kristaps Porzingis Ready To Team With Trae Young: ‘I Think I’ll Fit Right In’

Kristaps Porzingis and Trae Young? Sharing the court? With the likes of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher and others with the Atlanta Hawks?

Already, it’s an intriguing idea — and something Porzingis addressed in a wide-ranging interview with Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was acquired in a trade with the Boston Celtics, one year after winning a championship.

But for Boston, things ended quite differently this past season. Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon and the Celtics were bounced from the second round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks.

Porzingis clearly is viewing the Hawks as a fresh start.

“Our season (with the Celtics) didn’t end last year the way we wanted to,” Porzingis told Williams. “But this is how it goes, you know. And obviously, we expected that there were going to be changes in my whole team. And having a little bit longer summer than usual is, it’s awesome always as a player, because it’s just, the NBA season is tough, and also (I) jumped in the middle of the season, and it’s obviously tough, and just having this time off and being able to recharge a bit and get ready for a big summer, and then going into next year, it’s, honestly, it’s the perfect scenario, the perfect scenario.

“And I’m super, super excited about what’s coming.”

Porzingis added that he has indeed spoken with new Atlanta general manager Onsi Saleh and coach Quin Snyder.

“We talked a little bit,” Porzingis said. “We didn’t go into very specific details. I met with Onsi and Coach Quin, and we went over some things and style of play. And honestly, I’m very excited.”

Porzingis, 29, averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 42 games last season, shooting 48.3% from the floor and 41.2% on 3-pointers. At 7-foot-2, he can be a cheat code defensively, standing near the basket and swatting away opposing shots.

“I really like what I saw yesterday. And I’m not just saying that because I’m on a new team,” he said. “But really, I really like what I saw yesterday from Coach Quin. And I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s the right style of play. … I think I’ll fit right in here and add more like diversity, maybe even more offense. And, yeah, I think there’s going to be more like layers to this offense that’s already pretty powerful. But yeah, I think we can really be a force offensively.”