The Golden State Warriors made a move on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in an attempt to keep themselves contenders in the Western Conference.
The Warriors added center Kristaps Porziņģis in the final hours before the NBA’s trade deadline, coming to a reported agreement with the Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta in return.
For months, the Warriors were expected to trade Kuminga and were considered a candidate to land disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The latter has seemingly changed, with Golden State having ‘moved on’ from Antetokounmpo in the wake of this deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Here’s grades for the Kristaps Porziņģis deal:
Kristaps Porziņģis trade grades
Golden State Warriors grade: B
The Warriors are finally moving on from Kuminga, who had shown flashes of his talent and potential but never appeared to be on the same page as the Golden State coaching staff.
Porziņģis could be seen as low-risk, high-reward. If he is healthy, he could be just what the Warriors need: a center that can shoot the basketball. He also adds much-needed size near the rim.
Atlanta Hawks grade: B
Kuminga provides a level of athleticism and physicality to the Hawks at the forward position. He has also shown the ability to score and play solid defense during his time with the Warriors. Hield was a positive bonus in the trade, being one of the better long-range shooters in the league. He will also add a lighthearted and fun energy to the locker room.