The Atlanta Hawks made a significant impact this offseason with their Kristaps Porzingis Hawks acquisition, drawing praise from NBA observers despite not being a traditional offseason powerhouse. Their moves began with a pivotal three-team trade that brought Porzingis to Atlanta and continued as they added key free agents, crafting a roster designed to elevate team performance.
After acquiring Porzingis, the Hawks signed former Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a four-year, $62 million contract, a move many consider the top free agent signing of the period. Additionally, sharpshooter Luke Kennard joined on a one-year, $11 million deal, providing the team with reliable perimeter scoring.
Strategic Draft Night Maneuvering Boosts Future Assets
Despite trading away the No. 22 pick to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Porzingis deal, the Hawks initially held the No. 13 overall draft pick. They chose to move back ten spots to No. 23 through a transaction with the New Orleans Pelicans, which yielded an unprotected first-round pick for 2026. This future pick will favor either New Orleans or Milwaukee, with the potential to be a top-five selection, offering the Hawks valuable long-term flexibility.
Porzingis Named Among Top Under-the-Radar Offseason Acquisitions
In a recent CBS Sports analysis by NBA analyst Brad Botkin, Kristaps Porzingis was ranked as the fourth best non-star acquisition of the offseason, emphasizing his potential to impact the Hawks dramatically if he remains healthy. Botkin noted that although Alexander-Walker deserved recognition, Porzingis’ addition has a unique strategic significance for Atlanta.
Size has regained value in the NBA, and the Hawks now boast two capable big men in Onyeka Okongwu and Porzingis, who complement each other well enough to share court time effectively, unlike previous rotations that only allowed swapping between Okongwu and Clint Capela.
Offensive Synergy Between Porzingis and Trae Young Presents New Threats
Porzingis’ playing style meshes exceptionally with Trae Young’s skill set, creating what Botkin describes as “nuclear potential.” With Young’s ability to penetrate defenses and Porzingis’ proficiency in stretching the floor beyond the three-point line, opposing teams face impossible defensive challenges, particularly when Jalen Johnson is sprinting to the rim in transition. This combination makes the Hawks a multifaceted offensive team difficult to contend with.
Defensive Strength Enhanced by Porzingis and Versatile Roster
Porzingis’ defensive contributions are notable, as he held opponents to a 42% shooting rate when assigned as their primary defender last season, a statistic that outperforms even prominent defenders like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis. Atlanta’s closing lineup featuring Young, Johnson, Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and Porzingis introduces a versatile and elite defensive group capable of stifling offenses at multiple levels.
By building a team that specifically supports Trae Young’s style, the Hawks have transformed their wing defense into a robust, versatile unit backed by Porzingis’ rim protection. As Botkin remarked, if the team cannot succeed with this roster, given everyone remains healthy, accountability will be difficult to assign elsewhere.
Porzingis’ Impressive Performance Metrics Highlight Value Brought to Hawks
During the 2024–25 season, Porzingis averaged 19.5 points with an outstanding three-point shooting percentage of 41.2%, the second-best among all seven-footers behind only Karl-Anthony Towns. Additionally, he contributed 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, while maintaining solid field goal and free throw percentages (.483 FG%, .809 FT%).
He tied a career-high by making eight three-pointers in individual games twice in the same season, a feat unmatched by any other seven-footer, making him unique in NBA history with four games of eight or more triples during his career.
Career Achievements Establish Porzingis as a Rare Two-Way Talent
Over nine seasons and 501 games (500 starts), Porzingis has averaged 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game, featuring a shooting line of .461 FG%, .366 3FG%, and .829 FT%. He is one of only eight players in league history to sustain at least 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 500 games and stands alongside Anthony Davis as one of only two active players achieving this milestone. His 1.81 blocks per game rank sixth among active NBA players.
Porzingis has accumulated 909 career blocks and 950 three-pointers, placing him in an exclusive group of just ten NBA players who have surpassed 900 in both categories, and he is one of five active players to maintain this dual achievement. Remarkably, he has recorded at least 50 three-pointers and 50 blocks every season throughout his career, underscoring his consistent two-way capability.
Journey Through the NBA and Championship Success
Selected fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Porzingis’ career has included stints with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Boston Celtics. He has participated in 28 playoff games, starting in 21 of them, and notably earned an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2024, marking a crowning achievement in his professional career.
Future Prospects for the Hawks with Porzingis at the Core
With this blend of youth, experience, and strategic acquisitions, the Atlanta Hawks have built a roster uniquely tailored to amplify Trae Young’s strengths, anchored by Kristaps Porzingis’ multifaceted contributions. Should Porzingis remain healthy, the Hawks could see a substantial leap in their competitive stature, making them a formidable presence in the league.
This offseason’s approach, marked by savvy trades, free agent signings, and draft-night maneuvering, positions the Hawks not only for immediate impact but also with valuable assets for future growth. How the team capitalizes on this foundation will be a key storyline as the NBA season unfolds.