The Warriors just made a move that could shake up the Western Conference playoff picture-and it comes with a heavy dose of Celtics nostalgia.
Golden State has agreed to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Buddy Hield and forward Jonathan Kuminga, according to reports. That deal doesn’t just bring another scoring big into the Bay-it reunites Porzingis with his former Celtics frontcourt partner, Al Horford, who joined the Warriors last summer.
Yes, the top two centers from Boston’s 2023-24 championship squad are now wearing blue and gold.
Porzingis’ stint in Atlanta was short and largely derailed by health issues. After being traded by Boston in the offseason, he suited up for just 17 games with the Hawks, battling injuries and illness throughout. He didn’t play in either of Atlanta’s matchups with the Celtics this season, including their recent win in Boston, as he continues to recover from Achilles tendonitis.
Still, when Porzingis was on the floor, the impact was clear. The Hawks were plus-49 in his 413 total minutes this season, and his +5.8 net rating led all regulars on the roster.
He was scoring at a strong clip-25.4 points per 36 minutes, slightly up from his Boston numbers-even if his shooting efficiency and rebounding took a step back. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played since Jan. 7 and has only appeared in five games since early December.
But Golden State is betting on the version of Porzingis that helped anchor Boston’s title run. His chemistry with Horford, his ability to stretch the floor, and his rim protection-all of that fits what the Warriors are trying to recapture as they fight to stay in the playoff mix.
And the timing? Couldn’t be more dramatic.
The Celtics visit Golden State on Feb. 19, right after the All-Star break. That’s the first chance for Porzingis and Horford to face their old team together-assuming Porzingis is healthy enough to go.
Then, on March 18, the Warriors head to TD Garden. For Horford, who spent seven of the last nine seasons in Boston, that return trip is already circled.
“It’ll feel like home,” he said earlier this week.
If Porzingis is back in the lineup by then, it’ll mark his first game back on Causeway Street since the trade. And while his time in Atlanta didn’t go as planned, his former coach made it clear how much he meant to the team when he was available.
“He’s been tremendous for us when he’s been able to play,” said Hawks head coach Quin Snyder. “No one wants to be out there more than he does. It’s not hard to find his impact when you just look at the analytics.”
Now, the Warriors will hope that impact translates to a team still trying to find its rhythm in a crowded Western Conference. The trade deadline hits Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, but Golden State may have already made one of the more intriguing moves of the week-one that could pay off big if Porzingis can stay on the court.