The Atlanta Hawks could be gearing up for a very busy offseason. They may lose Clint Capela and Larry Nance Jr. in free agency, setting them up to focus on adding more size and frontcourt depth.
If the Hawks end up parting ways with one – or both – of Capela and Nance, new general manager Onsi Saleh may need to make a trade for a big man. While Onyeka Okongwu has emerged as a franchise cornerstone for Atlanta (averaged 17.5 points and 11.1 rebounds over his last eight games of the season), the Hawks could use another elite center to fill out their frontcourt rotation.
Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell recently proposed a three-team trade between the Hawks, the Boston Celtics, and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Hawks trade pitch brings Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta
Kristaps Porzingis is coming off a dreadful postseason with the Celtics, meaning a team like the Hawks could buy low on the Latvian big man. In Caudell’s mock trade, the Hawks would only lose Georges Niang, Terrance Mann, and a few draft picks for a player who averaged at least 20 points for six straight seasons before the 2024-25 campaign.
This past season, the Unicorn averaged 19.5 points on a career-high 41.2% shooting from 3-point range. Despite his playoff woes, the 7-foot-2 sharpshooter has the kind of versatility that could turn Atlanta into a top-five seed. A change of scenery with the Hawks would allow Porzingis to share the court with Trae Young, the NBA’s reigning assist champ.
Ice Trae has been elevating big men for years, and he could offer the same kind of impact for Porzingis. The Hawks ranked No. 18 in 3-point percentage as a team last season with none of their starters cracking league-average accuracy from beyond the arc. Porzingis would instantly boost Atlanta’s spacing, joining frontcourt studs Jalen Johnson and Okongwu to give the Hawks one of basketball’s strongest big-man units.
Caudell discussed Porzingis’ potential fit with the Hawks and how the 29-year-old could serve as an offensive game-changer.
“The Hawks solve a ton of problems with this trade. Porzingis at his best gives them needed floor spacing, interior size, and versatility,” Caudell wrote. “Over the past year, Atlanta has wanted to get bigger around Trae Young and put the kind of team around him to succeed. Porzingis can do that. He could play the four and Atlanta could have a big lineup of Young, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Porzingis, and Onyeka Okongwu … Atlanta could try buying low on Porzingis (much like Boston did) and hope it pays off.”
Kristaps Porzingis’ injury history could make him a risky trade target for the Hawks
While Porzingis has proven he possesses a tantalizing skill set, he has not always proven he can stay healthy. He has cracked the 65-game threshold just once in his last seven seasons, tearing his ACL in 2018 and dealing with various knee and ankle ailments since then.
Porzingis most recently dealt with an unknown illness that hampered his respiratory system and energy level in the playoffs, causing him to average just 7.7 points on 31.6% shooting (15.4% from three) in 11 postseason contests.
Caudell offered the negative side of a potential Porzingis deal for the Hawks, explaining the downside of buying into someone as injury-prone as the Zinger.
“Porzingis is a huge injury risk. He has battled injuries at different parts of his career and was battling an illness with Boston this season,” Caudell wrote. “Is he going to be available for the Hawks? Atlanta needs to prove something this season and has struggled with player availability over the past two seasons. At his best, Porzingis would be a huge help, but it is a risk. Does Atlanta want to move off of one of their first rounders? How would Porzingis fit with the team? There is considerable downside to this which Atlanta may not want to have.”
While Atlanta fans might have questions and concerns regarding the reliability of this specific mock trade, talks of the Hawks engaging in offseason deals have continued to heat up. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Hawks could look to facilitate many trades this summer due to their financial wiggle room that comes with being hard-capped below the CBA’s first tax apron.
Whether Atlanta decides to target a player like Porzingis or focus on a different need for the team, fans can expect some trade-heavy fireworks in the offseason.