Liepāja’s Kristaps Porziņģis admitted he was surprised by his trade from the Atlanta Hawks to the Golden State Warriors, the Latvian player revealed to reporters Saturday.
The move, which sent Porziņģis to the Warriors in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, was finalized Wednesday, NBA.com reports.
“I had no idea I would be traded. It was a surprise,” said the 30-year-old Porziņģis. “My first feeling was excitement. Plus, I found out I was going to Golden State, where the fans have always been great.”
The Latvian star too shared that he is fully engaged in training and working towards a return to the court. Porziņģis has been sidelined since January 7 with an Achilles tendon injury.
“I think I will fit in well with the new team. I’m the type of player who can adapt quickly,” Porziņģis said of his new team. “Of course, it will take some time to be able to work effectively with my teammates, but they are experienced and have been playing at the highest level for a long time, so it won’t be difficult.”
Porziņģis also noted that the final year of his previous contract isn’t a major concern, and his focus now is on finishing this season strong with his new team and in this new chapter of his career.
He anticipates being available to play after the NBA All-Star Game and hopes to be able to play a full 48 minutes when he returns.
The Warriors will play their next two games on Tuesday and Thursday, and after the NBA “All Star” break, they will play at home against Porziņģis’ former team, the Boston Celtics, on February 20.
Porziņģis joined the Hawks in a mid-season trade from the Boston Celtics, where he won an NBA championship in 2024. Due to injuries and illness, the Latvian player has appeared in only 16 of the team’s 52 games this season.
This season, Porziņģis is averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Throughout his ten NBA seasons, the Warriors will be Porziņģis’ sixth team. He has previously played for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, and Hawks.
The Warriors, with a record of 28-25, currently hold the eighth position in the Western Conference and will face the Memphis Grizzlies at home early Tuesday morning (Latvian time).
