According to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Atlanta Hawks have emerged as a serious trade suitor for Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics are expected to trade Porzingis this offseason.
Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Celtics this season while shooting 48.3% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc and 80.9% from the free-throw line.
The All-Star dealt with an illness and he had trouble breathing in the postseason, where he averaged only 7.7 points.
After winning the championship last season, Boston lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of this year’s playoffs in six games.
The Celtics already made one big trade, sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and draft picks. Superstar Jayson Tatum is expected to miss all of next season recovering from his torn right Achilles tendon.
The 29-year-old Porzingis has career averages of 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks with the Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Celtics. He’ll make $30.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.
The Hawks are led by All-Star point guard Trae Young, who is one of the top scorers and passers in the NBA. Atlanta missed the playoffs again this year. The franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since reaching the conference finals in 2021.
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