Former Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis could have very well played his final game for the Atlanta Hawks. Porzingis, who was traded to Atlanta back in June, is set to be sidelined for at least [two weeks with a prolonged illness.](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-dodged-brutal-reality-based-on-latest-kristaps-porzingis-update)
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Hawks are evaluating how the Latvian big man fits into what they’re trying to do moving forward.
“Kristaps Porzingis has also been out; he’s going to be at least another two weeks now,” Scotto [explained on the YES Network.](https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/2000964420483322296?s=20) “They’re trying to figure out what to do there and if he’s ultimately a good fit pairing with Jalen Johnson, their rising forward.”
**Hawks could trade Kristaps Porzingis before injury return**
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Porzingis is in the final year of his contract, and is owed $30 million this season. If Atlanta is willing to cough up draft capital to land a star for their young core, KP’s salary would be helpful in matching the financials.
With the league’s trade season unofficially starting on Monday, when many recently signed players became eligible to be moved, the Hawks could move quickly and offload Porzingis before he returns from illness.
**Celtics fans understand why it'll be hard for the Hawks to trade Porzingis**
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Celtics fans will remember how impactful Porzingis’ postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) was last spring, when it hindered him significantly in the postseason. The 30-year-old was limited to averages of 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 21 minutes in 11 playoff games for Boston.
Those numbers were far below what he’d posted throughout his 99 regular-season games for the Cs, which essentially left them undermanned against the New York Knicks in the second round.
Porzingis and his doctors had hoped they’d found a way to manage his case of POTS over the summer, while he played in the EuroBasket tournament. Unfortunately for them, he’s still struggling to stay on the court.
Whatever he’s dealt with this season has kept him out of the lineup for most of the past month. Porzingis has missed 11 of Atlanta’s 15 games since Nov. 13.
KP has appeared in 13 games for the Hawks this season, averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 25.6 minutes per outing. His efficiency hasn’t dipped much, either, as he’s made 49.7% of his attempts from the field and 36.4% of his threes.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, KP’s only value around the league now is as a salary filler. No front office is going to be willing to part ways with any significant asset for a player they can’t be sure will ever play significant minutes in the league again.