In the bustling early days of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks are navigating a tricky frontcourt dynamic after acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis in a seemingly lopsided three-team trade back in July. The 7-foot-3 Latvian big man, snagged from the Boston Celtics for next to nothing—a 2026 second-round pick and some minor assets—was supposed to bolster the defense and stretch the floor for Trae Young. But through 11 games, things haven't clicked quite as hoped.
Porziņģis, fresh off a rest day, is set to reclaim his starting spot against the Bulls on Monday, bumping Onyeka Okongwu back to the bench. The 24-year-old Okongwu has been a revelation in limited minutes, averaging solid contributions like 14 points and seven rebounds in recent outings. Yet, the numbers paint a sobering picture for Porziņģis: the Hawks outscore opponents by 7.4 points per 100 possessions when he's off the floor, while their defense plummets to the eighth percentile with him on it. Rebounding suffers, and foes hit 9.2% better at the rim—hardly the impact Atlanta envisioned from their prize addition on an expiring $30 million deal.
There's a silver lining, though, in how Porziņģis pairs with Okongwu. When the duo shares the court, Atlanta's defense turns elite, leveraging Okongwu's mobility to cover the veteran's gaps and Porziņģis' length for rim protection. Coach Quin Snyder might need to tweak rotations, ditching some ill-fated lineups with Jalen Johnson that have exposed vulnerabilities in the paint. Still, with no extension talks brewing, whispers of a deadline trade linger for the injury-plagued star.
As the Hawks push for Eastern Conference relevance, this frontcourt experiment raises questions about fit and future moves—what adjustments could unlock their potential?
