Porzingis Focused on Season Performance Over Contract Talks: One Day at a Time

Kristaps Porzingis appears hesitant to explore a contract extension at this point, preferring to concentrate on the upcoming 2025-26 NBA Regular Season with the Atlanta Hawks.

“I understand that’s an option. I want to see how the season unfolds,” the 30-year-old forward/center mentioned in a recent interview with The Athletic. “I aim to demonstrate that I’m performing at a high level again, that I’m healthy, and that I’m fully capable. Then, those matters will resolve themselves, you know? We’ll see what happens.”

Porzingis qualifies for a new contract this season, but if he doesn’t re-sign with the Hawks, he will enter unrestricted free agency next summer.

“I don’t want to rush into any declarations, but I prefer to take it one step at a time,” he noted.

Last July, right before he shifted his focus to his EuroBasket 2025 duties with Latvia’s senior national team, the Liepaja native was traded from the Boston Celtics, bringing his contract along to the Hawks. He is expected to earn around $30.7 million for the upcoming season.

In six games played in Riga, Porzingis recorded an average of 20.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game, contributing to his country’s 12th place finish in the standings.

This upcoming season marks his tenth year in the NBA, following two seasons with the Celtics, including the 2023-24 championship run, as well as stints with the Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks. The Knicks selected him as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft.

Read the latest news.