Podcast Summary: No Dunks – Emergency Pod | Kristaps Porzingis Traded To Hawks In Three-Team Deal

Episode Information:

• Title: Emergency Pod | Kristaps Porzingis Traded To Hawks In Three-Team Deal
• Host: The Athletic’s Original Basketball Podcasters – Skeets, Tas, Trey, and JD
• Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction

In this urgent episode of No Dunks, the hosts tackle the seismic three-team trade that has sent shockwaves through the NBA: Kristaps Porzingis has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Hosts Tasm Ellis, Trey Kirby, and Ash Wood dissect the implications of this deal, analyzing its impact on the involved teams—the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets—and the broader Eastern Conference dynamics.

Trade Breakdown

Tasm Ellis opens the discussion by outlining the specifics of the trade:

“Three team trade, three man podcast. We got to got to.” (02:15)

In this trade:

• Atlanta Hawks acquire Kristaps Porzingis, a second-round pick.
• Brooklyn Nets receive Terrence Mann and the 22nd pick from Atlanta and Boston.
• Boston Celtics part ways with Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and a second-round pick.

Impact on the Atlanta Hawks

The hosts delve into how Porzingis’s arrival reshapes the Hawks:

Trey Kirby emphasizes the magnitude of the trade compared to past deals:

“Porzingis as a one-time All-Star puts this trade over the top emergency wise for me.” (03:07)

Ash Wood expresses excitement about the frontcourt enhancement:

“This is a great move for them. They basically got off of two people who weren't really a part of rotation.” (05:52)

Key Points:

• Kristaps Porzingis brings height, defense, and shot-blocking prowess to a Hawks team eager to break out of the play-in tournament.
• The Hawks retain a robust roster with Jalen Johnson, Trey Young, Dyson Daniels, and Zachary Rise.
• The trade positions the Hawks for a potential Eastern Conference Finals run, pending the health and performance of both Johnson and Porzingis.

Notable Concerns:

• Porzingis’s Health: Repeated discussions about his physical condition and availability (07:08, 08:21).
• Jalen Johnson’s Durability: Johnson’s inconsistent game participation raises questions about the Hawks' depth (24:09).

Impact on the Boston Celtics

The Celtics’ strategy in this trade raises eyebrows among the hosts:

Ash Wood questions the Celtics' long-term plans:

“Maybe they stand pat and see what they have with the team without their star player and see what Jaylen Brown can do is kind of their star player this season.” (11:22)

Trey Kirby critiques the Celtics’ moves as potentially weakening their championship contention:

“It's a down year for the Celtics compared to where they've been the past, what seven seasons.” (14:26)

Key Points:

• Trading Jrue Holiday and Porzingis marks a significant departure from their recent championship core.
• The move aims to alleviate financial burdens by exiting the repeater tax, saving approximately $200 million.
• Introduction of Anthony Simons and George Niang suggests a shift towards a more flexible, albeit less defensively robust, roster.

Notable Concerns:

• Defense Degradation: Loss of defensive stalwarts like Holiday may hinder the Celtics’ defensive rankings (12:36).
• Leadership Gap: With Jason Tatum sidelined for the next season, concerns about who will lead the team emerge (11:34).

Impact on the Brooklyn Nets

The Nets appear to be maneuvering towards a rebuilding phase:

Tasm Ellis and Trey Kirby discuss the Nets’ strategy:

“They’re in ultra tank mode right now.” (19:58)

Key Points:

• Acquiring Terrence Mann and the 22nd pick indicates a focus on accumulating assets for future drafts.
• The Nets maintain significant cap space, allowing flexibility for future trades and acquisitions.
• Possession of multiple draft picks (including five in the upcoming draft) positions them well for player development and asset trading.

Notable Concerns:

• Current Roster Leverage: Limited immediate talent to bolster the team’s competitiveness (22:45).
• Future Moves: Potential for continued activity during draft day, though it remains uncertain how much the Nets can capitalize on their draft assets (19:58).

Eastern Conference Implications

The trade has broader implications for the Eastern Conference standings and playoff dynamics:

Trey Kirby highlights the competitive balance shift:

“I might start calling it the Spare Tire because it’s a little fat in the middle.” (25:37)

Key Points:

• Health is Paramount: Teams like the Hawks and Celtics are navigating significant injuries, making health a crucial factor for success.
• Playoff Landscape: The Eastern Conference remains volatile with potential top-six contenders depending on team health and performance (27:16).

Notable Discussions:

• Potential Standings: Predictions place teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks in strong playoff contention, contingent on player health.
• Celtics’ Future: The Celtics may have a down year but are strategically positioning for a stronger 2026 season when Tatum returns.

Future Prospects and Conclusion

As the hosts wrap up, they speculate on future trades and the evolving landscape of the Eastern Conference:

Trey Kirby anticipates ongoing trade activities and the potential for significant roster shifts:

“They’re still going to be really active, especially tomorrow, because five draft picks is kind of insane.” (19:58)

Ash Wood reflects on the Hawks' potential:

“They have a lot of talent though. So I can’t wait to see have Kristaps in the middle.” (24:40)

Key Takeaways:

• The Atlanta Hawks emerge as the primary beneficiaries of the trade, provided their key players remain healthy.
• The Boston Celtics face a transitional period, balancing financial strategies with competitive aspirations.
• The Brooklyn Nets are set on rebuilding, leveraging their draft assets for future gains.
• The Eastern Conference remains unpredictable, with health and strategic trades playing critical roles in determining playoff contenders.

Conclusion: The three-team trade involving Kristaps Porzingis represents a pivotal moment for all involved franchises. The Hawks gain a star player potentially capable of elevating them to playoff contention, the Celtics undergo a significant roster overhaul aimed at long-term financial stability, and the Nets focus on rebuilding through draft assets. As the season progresses, the success of this trade will largely depend on player health and team dynamics.

This summary captures the key discussions and insights from the episode, integrating notable quotes with proper attribution and timestamps to provide a comprehensive overview for listeners and enthusiasts alike.