Kristaps Porzingis has been traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Getty
Kristaps Porzingis has been traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Even without a blockbuster deal, as we previously warned you here at Heavy Sports, the Golden State Warriors made their move on forward Jonathan Kuminga, trading him despite the insistence of many that he would stay past the trade deadline if not moved for Giannis Antetokounmpo. In reality, the Warriors always knew an Antetokounmpo deal at the deadline was a pipe dream, and never stopped lining up possible fallback options on a Kuminga trade. And we have it: They’ve gotten center Kristaps Porzingis from the Hawks.
The Warriors also sent out guard Buddy Hield to the Hawks, and there was no draft capital exchanged. While some saw the Golden State move as underwhelming, around the league, it’s seen as a low-risk chance at a big-time score.
There were no monster offers out there for Kuminga, so the Warriors went with the one that has the highest upside.
Warriors’ Move for Kristaps Porzingis a Big Swing
Here’s what one coach with former ties to the Warriors said of the deal: “They wanted a home run, and Porzingis is a big swing and maybe a home run. It might be a strikeout, you know. But if all you have around Steph (Curry) is singles and doubles, then why not go for the home run? They were not going to get something that had a higher upside than what Porzingis gives them.”
Indeed, within the Warriors organization, that was the outlook. There were other offers of players who were not much better than Kuminga, or who weren’t starting-quality players. But Porzingis is the only player who can be a game-changer for the stretch run and the playoffs. He is a quality stretch-5 who can protect the rim, but was eminently tradeable for Atlanta.
That’s mostly because he simply has not been healthy, and the Hawks have seen him in uniform for just 17 games this year. Porzingis has been dealing most recently with left Achilles tendinitis that has kept him out since December, and has had surgeries on his knee and foot. He should be ready to get back on the floor, and a source said he could suit up for the Warriors before the All-Star break.
Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors is still an NBA trade deadline topic.
GettyJonathan Kuminga traded by the Golden State Warriors
Mystery Illness Has Haunted Kristaps Porzingis
But the big issue for Porzingis is that he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome last year, a condition that can cause his heart rate to spike when standing up. He played only 42 games last year with the Celtics, and was a negative when he tried to go in the postseason (7.7 points, 31.6% shooting, 15.4% 3-point shooting).
Basically, then, the Warriors are taking a risk on a guy with a balky leg who also could be forced out of the lineup at a moment’s notice any time he stands up. That’s known colloquially as a “bit of a gamble.”
Warriors Dangerous, If Healthy
For the Warriors, on the slim chance that the gamble pays off, it could come with a major payoff. In the 17 games Porzingis has played, he has averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists, and he’s made 36.0% of his 3s. He blocks 1.3 shots per game.
If he does not pay off, his $30 million contract expires after this season.
Porzingis, with Al Horford and Draymond Green, gives the Warriors multiple options at the center position. As long as he plays, of course. It’s a home run in that case. It could be a pretty nasty strikeout, though, if he doesn’t.