Porzingis: If the Celtics don t win the championship, we can exceed expectations in the Hawks

Kristaps Porzingis, the new inside player of the Atlanta Hawks, recently accepted an interview with the media, and he also talked about his feelings about being sent to the Hawks by his old club, the Boston Celtics.

Porzingis said: At the end of the season, I talked to my agent and I had a hunch that some of us would be traded, and maybe several people would even be traded. There was a time when I thought I would go to the San Antonio Spurs, but at this time the Hawks joined the trade, which also gave me a big surprise, although it was impossible for me to decide. Porzingis continued: I know that the Hawks have been hovering on the edge of the playoffs in recent years. I think the team has high expectations for me, and they paid some price to finally get me. This is a very ideal environment for me, and maybe even more suitable for me than in the Celtics. It was completely different there, and if we didn’t win the championship, we would be a failure. And here, we are under less pressure. If we can play at the right level, our performance will be easier to exceed external expectations. The current situation makes me feel more comfortable. Next, let’s see how we play next season. I believe we can surprise many people in the East and we will play a good season.

In the NBA regular season last season, Porzingis made a total of 42 appearances in 82 games, averaging 28.8 minutes per game, averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 turnovers and 2.8 fouls, with a shooting percentage of 48.3%, a three-point shooting percentage of 41.2%, and a free throw shooting percentage of 80.9%. During the playoffs, Porzingis played 11 games in total, with averaging 21 minutes per game, with averaging 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks, and 0.9 turnovers and 2.4 fouls. His shooting percentage was 31.6%, his three-point shooting percentage was 15.4%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 68.9%.

Previously, the Hawks completed a three-point deal with the Brooklyn Nets and the Celtics. The Hawks sent Terance Mann to the Nets and the No. 22 first round in the NBA Draft this year, and got the second round with a lower pick between the 2026 Celtics and (the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat's second round) (from the Celtics), the 2031 Cleveland Cavaliers second round pick and Porzingis. In order to get Porzingis, the Hawks even gave him a first-round pick, which also shows that the Hawks are very optimistic about his ability. I don’t know how the situation will develop next season and what kind of performance he can perform.