Celtics quickly vindicated for Kristaps Porzingis after surprise deadline move

Dec 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts after a basket against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesWell, that didn’t take long. Just a few months after the Celtics dumped Kristpas Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks for salary relief, Atlanta has already given up on the experiment. The move was touted at the time, and adding KP to Trae Young and Jalen Johnson had many thinking the Hawks could be surprise contenders in the East this season.

But instead, things have gone off the rails in Atlanta. They’ve started the season just 25-27, stuck in ninth place in…