Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis' Expected Return Date From His Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

'Maybe Even Better Than Boston' – Atlanta Hawks’ Kristaps Porzingis Dishes on the Team’s Championship Aspirations

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 9:13 AM ET

The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a massive coup by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics this offseason, and the Latvian international is hyped to join the team ahead of the 2025-26 NBA campaign.

Porzingis recently doubled down on his “perfect scenario” take about the Atlanta Hawks, saying that he could be the missing piece for the team to make a deep playoff run after being on the outside looking in during the past few years.

“I think expectations are high. Atlanta’s been on the edge of the playoffs the last few years, sometimes getting through the first round,” Porzingis said via Dejan Gajic of Basketball Sphere. “It’s a great situation for me to come in and contribute. Maybe even better than Boston, where it was championship or bust,” he added.

Mar 30, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) passes the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics fans may take his last sentence the wrong way. However, Porzingis is merely saying that his current situation is better for him rather than that the Atlanta Hawks are a better team overall.

Atlanta Hawks News: Kristaps Porzingis thought he was going to be traded to Western Conference team

In the same interview, Kristaps Porzingis knew he was about to be traded by the Boston Celtics because of the team’s cost-cutting measures. Before joining the Atlanta Hawks, he thought he was about to join forces with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla Explains How Kristaps Porzingis' Mysterious Illness Took a Scary Turn in Game 5 2 Apr 29, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts to a foul call while playing the Miami Heat during the first quarter of game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Laughlin-USA TODAY Sports

“After the season, I spoke to my agent and kind of expected that one or more of us would be traded. For a while, I thought I might end up with the Spurs, but then Atlanta came in—and that was a nice surprise. It was out of my hands,” Porzingis said.

Moreover, Porzingis stated that he’s feeling better than he did a few weeks ago, as he is ready to represent Latvia in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket tournament, which should be music to the ears for Atlanta Hawks supporters.