The Atlanta Hawks’ big trade with the Boston Celtics for Kristaps Porzingis cannot be completed until next month, but the big man and already received a warm welcome from new teammate Trae Young. Moreover, Porzingis has extended the olive branch back to his former rival.
Porzingis spent two seasons with the Celtics, helping them beat the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA FInals.
“[handshake emoji] @TheTraeYoung lets gooo,” Porzingis posted on X on June 26.
Neither team can address or even announce the trade until the league’s moratorium on new business ends on July 6. Former Hawks guard Terance Mann, who was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal, deleted his post expressing excitement about the move.
Porzingis also posted a graphic of himself alongside many of his new teammates on Instagram, saying he is “genuinely excited for what’s ahead.”
“The Hawks may have a window to make a run in 2026, and they’re trying to take advantage of it without compromising their future,” The Athletic posted on June 25 in reaction to Young’s message. “Health is a concern, but Kristaps Porziņģis is far and away the best pick-and-pop partner Trae Young has ever had in Atlanta.”
Notably, the image includes Porzingis as the Hawks’ starting 5.
Spotlight on Hawks' frontcourt
The Hawks moved 2020 No. 6 overall pick Onyeka Okongwu into the starting lineup this past season, ending veteran Clint Capela’s run as the top 5 on the team. Okongwu averaged 15.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks from January 14 on.
Okongwu played well offensively in the Play-In Tournament too, including a 28 and 12 game against the Miami Heat in the Hawks’ final game.
Defense is an issue, with the Hawks needing to protect the undersized Okongwu.
They got by with Mouhamed Gueye last season as Jalen Johnson dealt with a shoulder injury that cut his campaign short. Johnson should return, and Gueye could operate as the third 4 and 5 behind Hawks rookie first-round pick Asa Newell.
Porzingis’ injury history is also such that even if he does start, he will likely cede plenty of minutes to Okongwu and, to a lesser extent, the Hawks’ other reserve big men.
The good news is that all parties appear excited.
The Hawks are also in an Eastern Conference already navigating significant injury questions and appears ripe for even more upheaval during the 2025-26 season. Whether or not the Hawks can seize the opportunity ahead of them depends heavily on if they can avoid the injury bug themselves, which has proven challenging.