Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors: “The Giannis pursuit is over”

The Golden State Warriors shift direction, and they do so decisively. The California franchise has reached an agreement with the Atlanta Hawks on a trade that sends Kristaps Porzingis to San Francisco, while Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield head the other way.

A move that reshapes the Warriors’ front office priorities and definitively closes one of the most talked-about NBA trade rumors of recent weeks.

The end of dreams about Giannis Antetokounmpo

Porzingis’ arrival effectively marks the end of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors. According to league sources, the Warriors had submitted multiple offers to the Milwaukee Bucks, but over the past 24 hours the belief solidified that Giannis would not be traded before the NBA Trade Deadline.

The Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo is over. If there was a trade in which Draymond Green would have been involved, it would have been the one for Giannis

Shams Charania

A statement that makes clear how far Golden State was willing to go, before ultimately changing trade strategy once the stalemate with Milwaukee became evident.

Jonathan Kuminga, five years of ups and downs

For Jonathan Kuminga, a five-season chapter comes to a close, marked by high expectations, moments of growth, and just as many setbacks. The move to the Atlanta Hawks represents a fresh start, away from the pressure of an environment immediately focused on championship contention like that of the Warriors.

Buddy Hield is also included in the deal, a necessary sacrifice to acquire a profile Golden State has been monitoring for some time.

Why Kristaps Porzingis appeals to the Warriors

The idea of Porzingis to Golden State didn’t come out of nowhere. The Latvian big man had already been on the Warriors’ radar during his recent playoff runs with the Boston Celtics. The reason is clear: Golden State have been searching for years for a rim-protecting center capable of spacing the floor with three-point shooting.

In this context, the Porzingis–Draymond Green pairing is seen as particularly complementary. Not by chance, after evaluating several options, the Warriors decided to keep Draymond Green, despite his name circulating in NBA trade talks.

From a contractual standpoint, Kristaps Porzingis arrives on an expiring $30.7 million contract, a detail that provides future flexibility for the franchise.

The big question mark: health

The real risk of the move is tied to Porzingis’ health and availability. The former Celtics center has played just 17 games this season with the Hawks, following 42 appearances out of 82 in the 2024–25 NBA season with Boston. Contributing factors include a combination of physical issues and a complex condition such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

He hasn’t played since January 7, but the Warriors remain confident: the objective is to get Porzingis back on the court soon, ready to contribute in the final stretch of the regular season.