The Atlanta Hawks have undoubtedly improved by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, but recent developments show the team isn’t fully confident in his reliability.
Porzingis was a key piece in the Boston Celtics’ dominant offense and defense last season, acquired in a sign-and-trade that sent Marcus Smart away and brought in two first-round picks. His shooting ability and interior defense gave the Celtics a new dimension. However, despite his impact, his time in Boston was marred by frequent absences due to various injuries and illnesses. That inconsistency made him the obvious candidate when Boston needed to clear salary.
Atlanta capitalized on the opportunity, landing a rare two-way center who stretches the floor and protects the paint essentially combining the strengths of both Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. His presence on defense will help cover for Trae Young’s shortcomings, while his offensive skill set adds new spacing and pick-and-pop options.
Yet the big concern remains: Porzingis’s health. Given his injury history, the Hawks know they can’t rely on him to be consistently available. As a result, they’ve made clear preparations.
Atlanta’s Contingency Plan
The Hawks kept Onyeka Okongwu, who was expected to take over for Clint Capela as the starting center. Instead, he’ll now split minutes with Porzingis or step in if the veteran misses time. Having a starter-caliber backup is essential given Porzingis’s past.
However, the depth chart behind Okongwu is thin. Mouhamed Gueye has yet to prove himself, rookie Asa Newell is more of a power forward than a true center, and Summer League standout Eli N’Diaye is still developing and on a two way deal.
Atlanta is actively seeking another reliable big man. They’re reportedly trying to lure Al Horford back and are exploring trades across the league for a dependable rotation center. With Porzingis likely to miss 15–35 games this season, this isn’t just precaution it’s preparation for what they fully expect.
The Hawks’ continued pursuit of another center makes it clear: while they value Porzingis’s talent, they don’t trust him to stay healthy over the course of the season. Their actions speak volumes about their expectations for the former All-Star.
