The Golden State Warriors have dramatically reshaped their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline, acquiring veteran center Kristaps Porziņģis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield. The deal, reported by league sources, effectively ends the Warriors’ pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to team sources.
The Warriors reportedly made multiple offers for Antetokounmpo over the past week, but received the impression that the Bucks are unwilling to move their franchise player. This pivot led to the acquisition of Porziņģis, a player the Warriors have reportedly admired dating back to his time with the Boston Celtics. The move addresses a clear need for a rim-protecting center who can also stretch the floor with his shooting ability, a skillset the Warriors believe will complement Draymond Green effectively.
Porziņģis arrives in Golden State on an expiring contract worth $30.7 million, providing the Warriors with financial flexibility for the future. However, his health remains a significant concern. He has appeared in only 17 games for the Hawks this season, battling a tricky illness – postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome – and other injuries. He played in just 42 of 82 games for the Celtics in his final season in Boston. Team sources anticipate Porziņģis will return to the court soon after joining the Warriors, who currently hold an eighth-place record of 27-24 in the Western Conference as of .
The trade marks the end of Jonathan Kuminga’s five-season tenure with the Warriors. While Kuminga showed flashes of potential, averaging 12.5 points on 50.3 percent shooting in 278 career games, he never solidified a consistent role in Steve Kerr’s rotation. The Hawks acquire a young, athletic wing on a controllable contract, holding a team option for $24.3 million next season. Atlanta views Kuminga as a high-upside player who can contribute to their core.
The Warriors also included backup center Trayce Jackson-Davis in the deal, sending him to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick belonging to the Los Angeles Lakers. This move further streamlines the Warriors’ frontcourt rotation and adds a future asset.
The acquisition of Porziņģis represents a calculated gamble for the Warriors. If he can stay healthy and regain his form, he could be a transformative addition, providing the interior defense and offensive spacing they’ve lacked. However, his injury history casts a shadow over the move, and the Warriors will need to carefully manage his workload to maximize his impact.
For the Hawks, the trade is a bet on Kuminga’s potential. They are banking on his athleticism and scoring ability to develop into a key contributor. The move also opens up playing time for other players in their frontcourt rotation.
The Warriors’ decision to move Kuminga and Hield signals a clear commitment to competing now. They are willing to sacrifice future assets and potential upside in pursuit of a championship. The trade also suggests that the Warriors are confident in their ability to re-sign Draymond Green, having reportedly removed him from trade discussions.
The Porziņģis acquisition also reunites him with Al Horford, his former teammate in Boston. The two players developed a strong rapport during their time together with the Celtics, and their familiarity could help them quickly establish a productive partnership in Golden State.
This trade deadline has been active for the Warriors, demonstrating their willingness to make significant changes to improve their championship odds. The success of the move will ultimately depend on Porziņģis’s health and ability to integrate into the Warriors’ system, but the team clearly believes he is the missing piece they need to contend in the Western Conference.
