The Golden State Warriors didn’t swing for the fences at the trade deadline - no Giannis, no Jaren Jackson Jr. - but they didn’t walk away empty-handed either. Instead, they made a smart, calculated move that could quietly reshape their season. Enter Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis has been on Golden State’s radar for a while now - long before his move from Washington to Boston in 2023. The Warriors have always been intrigued by his rare blend of size, rim protection, and floor spacing. At 7-foot-3 with a soft shooting touch and legitimate shot-blocking instincts, he checks a lot of boxes for a team that’s been searching for a frontcourt presence to complement their perimeter-heavy core.
So when the Atlanta Hawks made it clear they were open to talks, the Warriors pounced. The deal sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta - notably, without costing the Warriors any draft capital. That’s a big win for a team trying to thread the needle between contending now and preserving long-term flexibility.
Porzingis arrives on an expiring $30.7 million deal, which gives Golden State a two-way opportunity: if he fits, they can talk extension. If not, they keep the books clean heading into a potentially pivotal offseason. It’s the kind of “no-risk, high-reward” play that contenders love - and one that could pay off in a big way.
On the court, Porzingis adds something the Warriors have sorely lacked: a legitimate interior presence. He gives them rim protection they haven’t consistently had since the peak days of Andrew Bogut, and his ability to stretch the floor opens up new wrinkles for Steve Kerr’s offense. He’s a pick-and-pop threat, a late-clock option, and a matchup problem - too tall for wings, too mobile and skilled for traditional bigs.
And with Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, Golden State suddenly finds itself short on secondary scoring behind Stephen Curry. That’s where Porzingis becomes even more valuable.
Curry’s still doing his thing - averaging over 27 points per game - but no other Warrior is cracking 12. That’s a steep drop-off.
Porzingis, meanwhile, has quietly averaged between 17 and 20 points per game over the last three seasons, doing it efficiently and in a variety of ways.
He’s not just a floor spacer. He can post up smaller defenders, hit the midrange, and knock down threes. Expect the Warriors to lean on him in mismatches, especially in pick-and-pop sets and late possessions when Curry draws extra attention.
This move isn’t just about adding talent - it’s about timing. With Curry deep into his 30s, the Warriors know their championship window isn’t wide open forever.
But they’re also not going all-in at the expense of their future. Porzingis gives them a chance to compete now without tying their hands later.
And for Porzingis, this is a chance to remind the league what he can do. He’s heading into unrestricted free agency this summer, and this stint with Golden State is more than just a midseason rental - it’s a showcase. If he clicks with Curry and the Warriors’ system, both sides might find this partnership worth extending.
So no, the Warriors didn’t land the biggest name on the market. But they might’ve found the right fit - and sometimes, that’s the move that makes all the difference.