Good News; Five-star Veteran Superstar Rejected Deal With Lakers To join Hawks in Three-Team Blockbuster Trade:

 

 

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward/center Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade that also involves the Brooklyn Nets. Porzingis, a former All-Star, has now joined his fifth NBA team in 10 years, having never spent more than three seasons with any single franchise. This trade marks the end of his two-year stint with the reigning NBA champions, the Celtics.

 

As part of the trade, the Hawks will receive Porzingis and a second-round pick. The Brooklyn Nets are acquiring Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 overall pick, while the Celtics will receive veteran forward Georges Niang and a future second-round pick. The deal is aimed at addressing each team’s positional needs and roster strategy heading into the 2025-26 season.

Porzingis is widely seen as the most impactful player in this trade, especially from a fantasy basketball perspective. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, shooting an efficient 48.3% from the field. However, his fantasy value has often been hampered by injuries. He appeared in only 42 games this past season due to a retinaculum injury that required surgery and caused him to miss the first month of the campaign.

 

Health remains the biggest question surrounding Porzingis. Since the 2015-16 season, he has only once played in more than 60 games in a season. His performance when healthy is undeniable, but consistency and availability continue to be concerns for both fantasy managers and his new team.

 

From a team perspective, Porzingis fills a major need for Atlanta, which has been looking for a big man to complement star guard Trae Young. His shooting ability and defensive presence make him a valuable addition. However, the trade raises questions about how the Hawks will manage the frontcourt rotation, particularly with incumbent center Onyeka Okongwu, who had a solid 2024-25 campaign.

 

Whether Porzingis starts or comes off the bench, his role in Atlanta is expected to be significant—provided he stays healthy. Even if his minutes are managed more conservatively, he could still deliver starter-level production. His fit alongside Young’s playmaking and Atlanta’s need for spacing and rim protection suggests a potentially strong impact—again, assuming his body holds up over the course of the season.