A former Boston Celtics champion said it’s possible he could leave the NBA for European basketball
EuroBasket 2025 is around the corner, and the NBA’s best European superstars are suiting up for their countries. Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic are among the league’s best players fighting it out in Europe.
European basketball produces some of the most electrifying atmospheres in the sport. The passion from the stands in Europe is unlike anything seen in the United States.
That’s left some stars reflecting on their life after the NBA, including one champion who recently left the Boston Celtics.
Kristaps Porzingis discusses the possibility of leaving the NBA for Europe
2024 NBA champion Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks from the Boston Celtics this offseason, is suiting up for Latvia at EuroBasket.
He recently played Antetokounmpo’s Greece in a pre-tournament friendly, and after the game contemplated the possibility of leaving the NBA for Europe in the future.
When asked about whether he would consider making the move, he said, “Sure, why not? I haven’t really given it too much thought, but just seeing some of the clubs here in Greece, the atmosphere here for the games would be a really unbelievable atmosphere to play in.”
Porzingis was then asked if Greece would be his preferred destination, and he answered, “Possibly, but I would have to look at everything, and who knows? I love the fans here, and I love the rivalries they have here, so who knows.”
Greek basketball is home to one of the biggest rivalries in the sport: The Derby of Eternal Rivals between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. It’s an environment that many European players dream of being a part of, and one day Porzingis may be suiting up for the rivalry.
Kristaps Porzingis could push the Atlanta Hawks into title contention, needs to stay healthy
Porzingis was an integral part of the Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship. He scored 20 points in game one of the Finals against Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks.
He was sidelined for much of last season with various injuries, which contributed to Boston’s second-round exit to the New York Knicks, when Jayson Tatum was also injured.
The Celtics made trades to clear their salary space this offseason, including trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks had an incredible offseason and are now positioned to make a run in the East.
Led by Trae Young, who hopes for a contract extension in Atlanta, the Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks. They haven’t made an imprint on the East since, but this season it’s wide open.
The Celtics and NBA finalist Indiana Pacers are out of the picture, the Philadelphia 76ers are in an injury crisis, and the Bucks are struggling to build a contender around Antetokounmpo. Someone has to win the East. Why not Atlanta?
They have an exciting young core, headlined by defensive ace Dyson Daniels, an All-Star in Young, and championship experience with Porzingis. If the Latvian can stay healthy, he’ll feel like he can help the Hawks to a deep playoff run.