'Unique and Versatile Talent:' Atlanta Hawks Reveal Why They Traded for Kristaps Porziņģis

The Atlanta Hawks have officially acquired NBA champion Kristaps Porziņģis from the Boston Celtics in a multi-team deal, forming a new core alongside All-Star guard Trae Young.

As part of the trade, Atlanta also received a 2026 second-round pick. The Boston Celtics acquired Georges Niang and a 2031 second-round pick, while the Brooklyn Nets landed Terance Mann and the draft rights to No. 22 overall pick Drake Powell.

Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh praised the acquisition of Porziņģis as a transformative move for the franchise.

“Kristaps is a unique and versatile talent with championship pedigree,” Saleh said in a team statement. “His ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and make plays on both ends adds another dimension to our team. We are fortunate to add a player of his caliber to our group.”

Porziņģis played in 42 games for the Celtics last season, averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. He shot 48.3% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc—ranking second among 7-footers—and 80.9% from the free-throw line. He played a vital role in Boston’s 2024 championship run before illness limited his production during the 2025 playoffs. Porziņģis averaged just 7.7 points in 11 postseason games as the Celtics were eliminated by the New York Knicks in the second round.

A one-time All-Star and 2019–20 blocks leader, Porziņģis has played for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Celtics. He holds career averages of 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 501 NBA games. He joins an elite group of just five active players with at least 900 blocks and 900 made three-pointers.

The Porziņģis trade continues an active offseason for Atlanta, which also completed a sign-and-trade for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and signed first-round pick Asa Newell. The Hawks have moved on from Caris LeVert, Clint Capela, and Larry Nance Jr., signaling a shift in strategy toward building around Young and Porziņģis as the franchise’s new “Big Two.”

Young remains one of the league’s most prolific playmakers. In 76 games last season, he averaged 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 41.1% from the field, 34.0% from three, and 87.5% from the line. He owns career averages of 25.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.8 assists.

Porziņģis’ ability to space the floor and anchor the defense gives Atlanta a rare pick-and-pop weapon to pair with Young’s dynamic creation. The Hawks haven’t made the playoffs since 2023, but with a healthier conference outlook and a reshaped roster, the franchise hopes this duo can return them to postseason contention.

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