Kristaps Porzingis will team up with a familiar face in Al Horford after getting traded to the Warriors late Wednesday evening. The Hawks shipped Porzingis to Golden State in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
Porzingis has endured a tough season in Atlanta, missing long stretches of games due to injury or illness. He hasn’t played in a game since Jan. 7 due to an Achilles tendinitis, though he did make some positive progress of late. Now, the Warriors will hope he can be healthy for the rest of the season.
When Porzingis is available, he’s a force on the court. He’s averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his 17 games (12 starts) this season. But it’s just the staying on the court part that’s been an issue for the big man.
Horford signed with the Warriors over the offseason, hoping to compete for a title this year. However, Golden State has struggled and has a 27-24 record, good for eighth in the West. The Porzingis trade also likely ends Golden State’s pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks at this year’s deadline.
Horford endured his own injury woes earlier this year, though he’s been healthy recently. He’s averaging 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 30 games (five starts) this season.
The Warriors will hope Porzingis can help their team. Stephen Curry is still playing great basketball, but he only has so many years in the league left. The Warriors were also dealt a tough blow earlier this season after losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL.