The Golden State Warriors made a bold move late last night, stepping away from the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes and instead swinging a deal for Atlanta’s Kristaps Porzingis. It’s a headline-grabbing pivot-one that signals urgency from a team still trying to squeeze another championship run out of its current core.
In return, Golden State sent out Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. On paper, that’s a manageable price for a player of Porzingis’ caliber-if he’s healthy. And that’s the million-dollar question.
Porzingis has suited up for just 17 games this season, and his durability has been a consistent concern throughout his career. When he’s on the floor, his talent is undeniable: a 7'2" big who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and create mismatches all over the court. But availability is the best ability, and Porzingis hasn’t had much of it lately.
This trade is clearly a calculated gamble. Without Jimmy Butler in the mix, Porzingis immediately becomes the Warriors’ second scoring option behind Steph Curry.
He’s averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists this season, shooting 45.7% from the field. Those numbers are solid, but not game-changing-and the Warriors are betting that he can tap into a higher gear when it matters most.
But just as the Porzingis news settled, another name entered the conversation: Ivica Zubac.
According to league sources, the Clippers are still fielding calls on their starting center, with the Indiana Pacers reportedly leading the charge. Zubac, now in his 10th season, has quietly become one of the most reliable big men in the league. He’s appeared in 43 games this year, putting up 14.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting a blistering 61.3% from the field.
And here’s the kicker: Zubac is under contract for two more seasons at around $20 million per year. Porzingis, on the other hand, is on an expiring deal.
So the question becomes: did the Warriors jump too soon?
Golden State has been hunting for a true rim protector for the better part of two seasons. Al Horford brings leadership and spacing, Quinten Post has potential, and Draymond Green is still a defensive savant-but none of them have been able to anchor the paint in the way the Warriors need.
Porzingis, when healthy, checks that box. But Zubac might check it more reliably.
The timing of the deadline complicates everything. It’s possible Zubac wasn’t truly available when Golden State made their move.
It’s also possible the Clippers’ asking price was too steep. But the Warriors had the draft capital to stay in the mix-and if Zubac ends up being moved for a package Golden State could’ve matched, this Porzingis trade could sting in hindsight.
Ultimately, this move tells us something important: the Warriors aren’t content to ride out the season as-is. They’re still chasing banners, still trying to maximize what’s left of the Curry era. Whether Porzingis is the right piece to help them do that remains to be seen.
But in a Western Conference that’s as wide open as it’s been in years, Golden State is betting big-and hoping Porzingis can stay on the floor long enough to make that bet pay off.