Former Hawk Jeff Teague celebrates the Kristaps Porziņģis trade, praising the additions of Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, while expressing strong relief.
The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the most active teams in the NBA as the trade deadline approaches. The deadline is set for Thursday, February 5, at 3:00 p.m. EST, and Atlanta has already made multiple moves that signal a willingness to reshape its roster on the fly rather than stand pat.
On Wednesday night, news broke that the Hawks were trading with the Golden State Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga and sharpshooter Buddy Hield. Kristaps Porziņģis was sent to the Warriors in the deal, officially ending his brief tenure in Atlanta. Porziņģis departs the Hawks having averaged more points per game (17.1) than games played (17), a stat that underscored both his productivity and limited availability during his time with the team.
As Atlanta brings in Kuminga and Hield, former Hawks All-Star point guard Jeff Teague made his feelings about the deal very clear while speaking on the Club520Podcast, offering both praise for the move and blunt criticism of Porziņģis’ fit in Atlanta.
“Boosie said it best — if you don’t want him, we will take him,” Teague said. “Shoutout to the Hawks getting Kuminga. We got another 6’8 wing that we can use. I like the trade. I hated Porzingis on our team, so I’m so glad we got rid of him.”
Kuminga had requested a trade from Golden State amid reduced playing time and what had been described as a fractured relationship with head coach Steve Kerr. While the trade gives him a fresh start, it remains unclear how Atlanta plans to deploy the 6-foot-8 forward moving forward. Kerr’s inconsistent usage of Kuminga in Golden State makes projecting his role difficult, though the Hawks’ need for athletic wings could open the door to expanded opportunities.
From Golden State’s perspective, the deal carries risk as well. Porziņģis has not played in over a month and is currently dealing with an illness, making his immediate availability uncertain. If healthy, he provides spacing and rim protection, but durability has been a persistent concern.
Hield, meanwhile, is expected to slot into a bench role for Atlanta. His shooting remains valuable, even as his scoring numbers have dipped this season. The Hawks have lacked consistent perimeter shooting at times, and Hield offers instant offense in short bursts.
The Hawks’ activity did not stop there. Atlanta waived Duop Reath, whom the team had acquired in the deal that sent Vít Krejčí to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Hawks also traded for center Jock Landale, continuing a reshuffling of their frontcourt depth.
In another notable move finalized Thursday, Atlanta offloaded guard Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick. The transaction further reflects Atlanta’s effort to balance roster flexibility with future assets.
With a very full roster and a dramatically altered rotation, the Hawks are set to face the Utah Jazz on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST. The game will offer the first glimpse of how Atlanta plans to integrate its new pieces as the deadline dust continues to settle.
Kristaps Porziņģis has averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 17 games this season. Jonathan Kuminga has averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 20 games. Buddy Hield has averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 44 games.