Kristaps Porzingis, Hawks Reportedly Didn't Discuss New Contract Before Celtics Trade

After pulling off a surprise move to acquire Kristaps Porziņģis, the Atlanta Hawks are entering into this partnership without a guarantee he will sign a contract extension.

On the latest episode of The Hoop Collective Podcast (starts at 22:30 mark), ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the Hawks and Porziņģis did not discuss a new deal before they agreed to the trade with the Boston Celtics.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the trade is a three-team deal with the Hawks receiving Porziņģis and a second-round draft pick, the Celtics getting Georges Niang and a second-round pick, and the Brooklyn Nets adding the No. 22 pick in the 2025 NBA draft and Terance Mann.

Porziņģis is entering the 2025-26 season on an expiring contract with a $30.7 million salary.

The Hawks are in a fascinating financial position going forward. They only have $61.6 million in guaranteed money on their books in 2026-27, excluding Trae Young's $49 million player option.

Atlanta had two big contract situations to address this summer before adding Porziņģis. Young is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth up to $228.6 million.

New general manager Onsi Saleh's comments about being "locked into next season" on Young's contract leaves a lot open to interpretation.

There's been nothing to indicate the Hawks are looking to move on from Young. Certainly, acquiring Porziņģis would only seem to strengthen their desire to keep the four-time All-Star and see what they can do together on offense.

But if things don't work out as the Hawks are hoping next season, they could have an opening to move on from Young if they don't extend him this summer.

The other big contract decision that would seem like a no-brainer is Dyson Daniels. He was terrific this season after being acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans last summer as part of the Dejounte Murray trade.

ESPN's Bobby Marks floated the contract Jalen Suggs signed with the Orlando Magic in October (five years, $150.5 million) as comparison for the type of deal Daniels could get.

A Porziņģis contract is always tricky to project because you almost have to factor in that he's going to miss time. The 29-year-old has only reached the 60-game threshold three times in 10 seasons, with two of them coming in his first two years in the NBA.

The Hawks would be wise to see if Porziņģis can make it through next season relatively healthy and playing at a high level before attempting to give him a long-term extension.

Even though waiting could increase Porziņģis' asking price if he has a terrific 2025-26 campaign, there's plenty of risk for a team committing a lot of money to an oft-injured player given how restrictive the aprons are if you have most of your cap invested in two or three players.

Porziņģis played just 42 games for the Celtics this season. He was very productive in those games, averaging 19.5 points on 48.3 percent shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest.