The dust has finally settled on the Kristaps Porzingis trade, and it's time for the Golden State Warriors to evaluate their next steps.
The trade primarily aimed to move Jonathan Kuminga's contract, which had become cumbersome as the season progressed. Yet, there's undeniable potential in acquiring Porzingis.
Porzingis is expected to make his debut shortly after the All-Star Break. Although this season might be a bit of a wash, he has nearly 30 games to showcase his value as the center the Warriors have been searching for. If he succeeds, they could potentially re-sign him on a more favorable contract next season.
LeBron James, on his Mind The Game podcast, weighed in on Porzingis's fit with the Warriors. He sees Porzingis as a promising addition but with a crucial stipulation that every Warriors fan will be keeping in mind.
Porzingis's health is key.
During a chat with Steve Nash, James discussed Porzingis's potential impact on the Warriors. Both agreed that the Latvian center could be the answer to the team's issues in the middle. Standing at 7'2", Porzingis offers rim protection, interior scoring, and reliable perimeter shooting-a combination that could be transformative.
However, James highlighted a concern shared by many Warriors fans: Porzingis's availability.
"Health is wealth. Obviously, Kristaps is definitely a perfect fit for Golden State: the way they play, their style of play... His health is obviously most important when it comes to that," James noted.
The Warriors' coaching staff is optimistic about keeping Porzingis healthy, but his track record raises questions. He's only played over 70 games once, back in his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Since then, he has averaged just 44.6 games over 10 seasons. Excluding the 2018-19 season he missed due to a torn ACL, that average slightly improves to just above 49.
Porzingis has also been dealing with POTS, a chronic illness, alongside various ligament and tendon issues in his legs. It's a challenging mix for the Warriors to manage.
If Porzingis can stay healthy and contribute significantly during Stephen Curry's final years with the team, it would be a remarkable turnaround.
James's concerns are valid, and Warriors fans can only hope that this gamble pays off.