appears there is no credible evidence that Kristaps Porziņģis has submitted a formal “transfer letter” or is demanding a move out of Boston beyond the well‑documented trade to Atlanta. Here’s the real stoΦWhat actually happened: The trade & salary-cut strategy
- On June 25, 2025, the Celtics, Hawks, and Nets agreed on a three-team trade sending Porziņģis and a 2nd-round pick to Atlanta, Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick to Brooklyn, and Georges Niang plus a 2nd-rounder back to Boston
- The deal officially closed on July 7, once the new NBA league year be
- The move wasn’t driven by a player-initiated request—it was a salary dump. Porziņģis was owed $30.7 million for 2025‑26, and moving him dropped the Celtics below the league’s punitive second salary-cap apron—saving them estimated $180 million in luxury-tax liability (Porziņģis’s statement: Gratitude, not frustration
Rather than expressing any desire to leave, Porziņģis posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Boston will always be special in my heart. Huge thank you to the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the fans! Class organization. Forever grateful
This sincere farewell radiates gratitude—not discontent or demands.
The false “transfer letter” narrative
No reliable outlets have reported that Porziņģis submitted any formal letters requesting a transfer or trade. Instead, the move was purely management-driven, part of Boston’s strategy to manage finances and rebuild after Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury
- He’s now part of the Atlanta Hawks, alongside Trae Young and company
- With one year remaining on his deal, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, so a reunion with Boston may be possible—but that would be a new negotiation on fresh terms
🔍 Summary: No transfer letter, only gratitude & finance
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Porziņģis submitted a “transfer letter” | No evidence; the move was financial |
| He’s angry/forced out | His public statement was thankful |
| Trade was a salary dump | Yes—essential to Celtics’ cap strategy |
Final takeaway
Kristaps Porziņģis did not request a transfer via letter. He was traded from Boston to Atlanta on June 25, officially July 7, as part of a strategic cap-management move. His heartfelt message reflects appreciation, not frustration.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of the Hawks’ roster or what this means
