After two seasons and a championship, new Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis said goodbye to Boston after his trade from the Celtics. Porzingis began his career as a top-five draft pick by the New York Knicks and made stops in Dallas with the Mavericks.
More recently, Porzingis spent one-plus years with the Washington Wizards. Still, he achieved his greatest success in Boston, winning the 2024 NBA Finals with the Celtics.
Naturally, there was an air of sentimentality to Porzingis’ message.
“Boston will always be special in my heart,” Porzingis posted on X on June 25. “Huge thank you to the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the fans! Class organization. Forever grateful.”
Porzingis also shared a clip of his highlights from his time with the Celtics. The 7-foot-2 one-time All-Star averaged 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks with Boston.
"Thank you for all the memories Celtics fans!! Special moments" - Kristaps Porzingis pic.twitter.com/ICDId3TOBS
— Clocker Sports (@ClockerSports) June 25, 2025
Footage has also resurfaced from the 2023 playoffs of Porzingis out in Atlanta with former Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown, an area native, visiting American Deli. Porzingis said he “could live here,” noting the proximity of the deli to a martial arts studio.
The Celtics beat the Hawks 4-2 in that first-round series.
The Hawks have not been back to the playoffs since, but the hope is surely that Porzingis helps rectify that.
Kristaps Porzingis' past comments bode well for Hawks after trade
The Hawks are assuming a significant risk, specifically with Porzingis’ extensive injury history. However, Porzingis spoke optimistically about his health, and that is as good news as the Hawks could have hoped for.
Porzings made a career-low 42 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season, and he endured a mysterious illness that hindered him in the 2025 playoffs with the Boston Celtics.
Porzingis, though, suggested that it is all behind him.
“Thanks for all the support and questions about my healthy [heart hands emoji],” Porzingis posted to his Instagram story on June 25. “Ive been feeling excellent all offseason and looking forward to a healthy and strong European championship tournament with my NT [national team].”
Potential concern about that last part for the Hawks is warranted. They watched former Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic struggle after starring for Serbia in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and get traded before the 2025 deadline.
Porzingis is on a one-year contract, at least for now, and the Hawks for the cost of a first-round pick, two rental players, and an additional draft choice received in a previous deal.
It will be interesting to hear whether or not the Hawks plan to offer Porzingis an extension.
Clarity on that will not happen until July 6 at the earliest, though. That is the league’s moratorium on new business ends, meaning general manager Onsi Saleh is not allowed to address the trade or Porzingis’ future until then.
The Hawks are also not allowed to announce the deal, which always leaves the door open for changes or simple tweaks to be made.