Kristaps Porzingis’ time with the Boston Celtics came to an unfortunate close this offseason when he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, largely due to the financial restrictions of the NBA’s second apron. Though his stint in Boston was brief, Porzingis made a strong impression both on and off the court, quickly becoming a fan favorite and respected presence in the locker room.
However, his Celtics tenure ended on a sour note. In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Porzingis struggled significantly due to a persistent illness that sapped his energy and impacted his performance. Over 11 postseason games, he averaged just 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting a dismal 31.3% from the field and only 15.4% from three-point range. Speaking to HoopsHype, he admitted the experience was mentally and physically draining.
“You can’t imagine how frustrating it was,” Porzingis said. “Being in the playoffs and not having that energy you know you usually have… you push yourself, but it’s just not there. It’s frustrating, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Now, Porzingis appears to be turning a corner. He finished strong for Latvia in their recent EuroBasket campaign, suggesting that he’s getting back to full strength. If this resurgence continues in Atlanta, the Celtics may come to regret letting him go especially if their frontcourt fails to fill the void he left behind.
Celtics’ Return for Kristaps Porzingis Trade Already Raising Eyebrows
Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t yet suited up for the Atlanta Hawks, but his recent EuroBasket performance for Latvia has raised questions about the Boston Celtics’ decision to trade him and what they got in return. Over six games in the tournament, Porzingis looked revitalized, averaging 20.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest.
His standout moment came in Latvia’s elimination game against Lithuania, where he posted an incredible 34 points, 19 rebounds, and two blocks going down swinging in what turned out to be their final match.
Speaking about his form, Porzingis said: “I’ve been working on my health and getting back to feeling good. I’m 30 now not too old but I think these are the prime years. Mentally and physically, I feel like I’m in a great spot.”
Whether he carries that momentum into the NBA season remains to be seen, but if he does, Boston’s trade package will likely come under scrutiny. The Celtics originally received veteran forward Georges Niang in the deal but quickly flipped him along with a second-round pick to the Utah Jazz for undrafted rookie RJ Luis Jr.
That means Boston’s final return for Porzingis and a draft pick was a raw, unproven rookie.
To be fair, Porzingis has a lengthy injury history and regularly misses around 20 games per season, which affects his long-term value. And Boston had to make the move to get under the punitive second apron of the salary cap, as their financial situation was becoming untenable.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the optics: the Celtics were forced to part with a high-impact player and came away with little to show for it.
