NBA Champion Kristaps Porzingis is looking forward to a new chapter in Atlanta after a standout performance in the 2025 EuroBasket. Yesterday was his first Media Day as a Hawk. It was a fun-filled afternoon of photos and videos with new teammates to kick off a fresh start.
When he sat down at the podium, he was asked about his championship experience from Boston and how his wisdom will benefit the young locker room.
“Honestly, it’s important to go step by step, you know?, One possession at a time, one quarter at a time, and one game at a time, I know it’s cliché to say this, but it’s true,” Porzingis said. “That’s how we won in Boston, and it’s just one day at a time. Of course, we wanna have the highest goals here, but it’s gonna be a big process.”
The now 11-year veteran followed up by acknowledging that there will be an interim period of adjustments before the Hawks reach their full potential with their new roster.
“Also, me coming into this team to learn from all these guys to get in the groove with this team, but I look forward to it. I think we have a great opportunity in front of us and we’re just gonna have to take it one day at a time.”
His presence has contributed to winning basketball for most of his career. According to StatMuse, he has a career +/- of +907, indicating a significant impact on the floor. During Trae Young’s seven-year tenure with the Hawks, PF/C John Collins has the highest +/- among his former teammates at +61. The new pairing has fans excited and pundits curious about their potential together.
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Kristaps understands the Hawks' growing pains, as they are the third-youngest team in the NBA. He feels obligated to help the young players develop during his first season, so they can reach their potential in the future.
“I’ll see what I can bring. It’s hard to say right now, but I look forward to enhancing all these guys, you know? and being a selfless teammate, I want the best for these young players," Porzingis says. “They’ve been improving with each season. You know it’s an exciting team with Coach Quin [Snyder]. I’ve admired him from afar for a long time, and now to play for him it’s a great honor for me.”
He displayed genuine excitement about joining a team that has struggled over the past few years, largely due to what he witnessed last year. Trae Young leading the league in assists on a 40-42 Hawks team was one of the biggest draws for the former All-Star.
"When I saw I was coming to Atlanta, I’m not gonna lie, I was very happy. I’m not selling you anything; this is true. I was very excited. It’s a great city and a great young team," Porzingis says, "And to play alongside these guys [like] Trae, who is the best passer in the league, it can be something special."
Their particular pairing is the biggest X factor for the Hawks heading into this pivotal year. It’s the first time Young has had a roster where all the big men possess shooting prowess, especially Porzingis, who shoots at a 41% clip. When asked about what he can bring out of the 4x All-Star, he replied:
“It’s gonna be a process, Trae is already a complete player, there are not that many guys that have the offensive talent that he does, with his height to be this effective and create not only assists, but I think he’s the best in the league at creating potential assists,” Porzingis says. “It’s just gonna be a matter of us just shooting at a high percentage from his passes, that’s gonna be a part of it to make him look even better than he has.”
Most of the Hawks' success relies on their chemistry; if it works well, we could see Porzingis get an extension, making him a Hawk long-term.
“I think it’s gonna be super fun to play with him [Trae], honestly, seeing how many lobs he throws and how he finds passes that a regular eye doesn’t see.”
It’s a contract year for him, so the Hawks could get at least 60 games from a healthy and highly motivated Kristaps.