The Warriors completed a trade on Wednesday that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porziņģis, addressing their need for a rim-protecting center who can space the floor. Golden State sits eighth in the Western Conference at 28-24, and the addition of Porziņģis gives them a legitimate interior presence to pair with Draymond Green in the frontcourt.
Porziņģis arrives from Atlanta after playing just 17 games this season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 45.7% from the field. The 30-year-old missed significant time before the trade with left Achilles tendinitis, raising familiar questions about his availability. Among the simpler questions surrounding his arrival: what number he’ll wear in Golden State.
What Number Will Kristaps Porziņģis Wear For the Warriors?
Porziņģis will wear No. 7 for the Warriors, breaking from the No. 8 he’s used since Boston acquired him in 2023. The number becomes available because Buddy Hield, who wore No. 7 this season, was shipped to Atlanta in the same trade. Hield averaged 8.0 points with the Warriors, a career low that reflected his diminished role in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) will wear No. 7 for the #Warriors. Number last worn by Buddy Hield in 2026. #NBA pic.twitter.com/ViZvtBBasE
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) February 6, 2026
The switch marks the first time Porziņģis has changed numbers since the NBA forced him out of his preferred No. 6 when they retired Bill Russell’s number league-wide in 2022. He wore No. 6 for seven years across New York, Dallas, and Washington before choosing No. 8 with the Celtics in June 2023. He kept No. 8 through his trade to Atlanta last summer and wore it in all 17 games he played for the Hawks this season.
How Will Porziņģis Fit With the Warriors?
The Warriors rank 15th in offensive rating at 115.6 and 23rd in defensive rating at 113.4, respectable marks that mask their center rotation problems all season. They need Porziņģis to be the version who averaged 20.1 points and shot 37.5% from three during Boston’s championship season in 2023-24, not the player who’s appeared in just 17 of Atlanta’s 52 games this year.
Porziņģis gives them the rim protection they’ve lacked. He’ll reunite with former Celtics teammate Al Horford, who signed with the Warriors last summer and has provided steady veteran minutes in the frontcourt.
The two won a championship together in Boston and now get a second chance to anchor a contending team’s defense. Porziņģis may return soon after joining Golden State, with a potential debut Saturday against the Lakers. It will be interesting to see Steve Kerr line them up, especially their defense.
