Kristaps Porzingis is already missing Trae Young.
With the Atlanta Hawks sending star point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster trade Wednesday, a big void has opened up, particularly in the team’s playmaking — and Porzingis was quick to highlight his now-former teammate’s elite passing ability.
“I was getting, like, open looks all the time,” Porzingis said, expressing regret over the short time he was able to share the court with Young following the Hawks’ 117-100 victory at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., according to Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com.
“Of course, I wanted to play with him more, you know?”
Porzingis is just in his first season with the Hawks, who acquired him in the summer from the Boston Celtics via a three-team trade that also involved the Brooklyn Nets. Young played only 10 games in his final season with the Hawks due to a right knee injury, while Porzingis also missed several games with an illness, leaving the Hawks with a limited sample of the two stars together on the floor.
On a lighter note, Porzingis shared a great pun that earned some laughs to describe Young’s impact on the floor.
“Obviously, he’s one of the best passers that I’ve played with. And I think everybody was benefiting from playing with him. Offensively, he’s really a wizard.”
Porzingis went on to give Young more praise, as he and the Hawks begin life without the former Oklahoma Sooners star.
“He’s an amazing player, amazing, amazing player. And I’m sad, I’m sad I didn’t get more time with him.”
Despite Young’s departure, Porzingis can expect the Hawks to continue moving the ball well.
Through Wednesday, Atlanta is leading the NBA this season with 31.2 assists per game and second overall with a 71.6% assist rate.
