Hawks expected to put $60 million NBA champ, All-Star on trade block, fully build around Jalen Johnson
The Atlanta Hawks made a trade for Kristaps Porzingis this offseason, hoping that by pairing him up with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, they could make a run in the weak Eastern Conference. However, Young went down with an MCL sprain, and the Hawks are now 15-12 and seventh in the conference.
Luckily, Atlanta has learned something from this: Johnson is a rising superstar, and they need to build around him. According to Michael Scotto, this means the Hawks are expected to put Porzingis up for assets.
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“Despite his illness, Porzingis’ $30.73 million expiring contract is considered a valuable trade chip and one that Atlanta is expected to gauge on the trade market if there’s a notable upgrade that makes sense, which could vault Atlanta into contention in the East now and for the foreseeable future…Looking at the big picture, the Hawks are content growing and developing their young core while adding an expected high draft pick in June, sources said,” Scotto wrote.
So far this season, Porzingis is averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, although he’s only played 13 games.
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Porzingis was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) last season with the Boston Celtics, and it has been a limiter for him this season as well. If the Hawks think they can get a good return for him, they very well should put him on the trade block.
Hopefully, the Hawks can get it done before the trade deadline, so they can try and compete in this weakened Eastern Conference. If they don’t, they’ll have to try next season, against fully healthy playoff teams from last year.
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