The Boston Celtics officially broke up their championship core from the 2024 season after they traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers, and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. However, the Hawks will now soon need to decide if Porzingis will be a long-term option.
Porzingis spent two seasons with the Celtics from 2023-2025, averaging 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in that span. He was a crucial piece to the team’s championship run in 2024, but struggled mightily in this year’s postseason while battling an illness, averaging just 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 11 playoff appearances (7 starts) this past season.
Now with the Hawks, the team will have a major decision to make regarding his long-term future with the team. Porzingis is extension eligible starting on July 12, and can be extended anytime throughout next season. If he isn’t extended, Porzingis will hit the open market in 2026.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger calls the Atlanta-Porzingis situation a tricky one for the team to solve, as there will be multiple factors on the table depending on his health, and performance next season.
“He turns 30 in August and hasn’t played more than 66 games in a season since his rookie year. The good news for Atlanta is that it can do a bit of a trial run before it commits, as Porziņģis is eligible to be extended in-season,” Hollinger wrote. “The additional tricky part is that extending Porziņģis at any realistic number likely pushes the Hawks into the tax a year from now, given Atlanta’s existing commitments plus likely extensions for [Trae] Young and Dyson Daniels and salary for a 2026 lottery pick.”
Hollinger suggests a shorter-term deal for Porzingis as the most ideal scenario for the team to keep him under contract, while also not handicapping themselves in any trade discussions.
“There seems to be a solid resolution here that would keep Atlanta’s flexibility: a new deal with 5 percent raises that would keep Porziņģis trade-eligible,” he wrote. “Extending him for two years and $67 million would more or less be in line with his market value without stunting any of Atlanta’s deal-making options.”
As for the Celtics, they are probably rather pleased to not have this contract situation on their hands anymore, especially given the alarming fall-off of Porzingis’ performance in the playoffs this past season, combined with his age and looming decline.
