Washington Wizards Ex-Kristaps Porzingis Clarifies Past Narratives

Some believe former Washington Wizards forward-center Kristaps Porzingis wanted a team all his own, but he’s saying now that narrative was false.

The Washington Wizards added guards Jordan Poole and Tyus Jones to their roster this off-season, but also lost forward-center Kristaps Porzingis in one of those trades that helped reshape the franchise roster.

Originally drafted to the New York Knicks in 2015 Porzingis spent three years there and with the Dallas Mavericks before finding his way to the Wizards in 2021. 

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Throughout that time he went from being a player Knicks fans weren’t exactly in love with to someone many felt would become the centerpiece to a championship contending roster at some point.

And at a minimum, he wanted to be, or so we thought.

“I never felt that way because today’s league is — other than [Denver Nuggets center Nikola] Jokic and [Philadelphia 76ers center Joel] Embid, it’s a guard league,” Porzingis told the New York Daily News when asked about the idea he wanted a team of his own. “It’s mostly guards and small forwards. So I knew that if I want to win, you’re going to have to play with somebody. And it was never an issue for me.”

Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis makes a move to the basket during the second half against the Toronto Raptors / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With Washington Porzingis wasn’t expected to just play with others, he was looked at as a leader who was meant to be the focal point along with forward Kyle Kuzma.

The duo spent two seasons together and got the Wizards as high as third in the Southeast Division with matching 35-47 records in each.

That experience, along with the others he’s had in his career, appear to have influenced how he sees his role on a contending team today as a member of the Boston Celtics.

“Honestly, I still play pretty much the same. There might be some games when I don’t get as many shots or things like that, but honestly I’m much more effective now than when I was shooting 18 shots per game,” Porzingis said while acknowledging his ability to be more impactful as a third or fourth option rather than a first or second. “So I’m comfortable in this role also. And there’s going to be different games and different situations, and I’m going to be ready to step up or be there (to) support these guys, and that’s why I’m here.”

While Porzingis is settling into his role, the Wizards are busy trying to figure out the roles of their current players with Poole and Kuzma taking the lead spots early in this rebuild effort.

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Could either or both of them be better off as third or fourth options long term? It’s certainly possible. 

And if that’s the case it’ll take the same sort of awareness and maturity Porzingis is showing outside of Washington to make those still inside a better all-around team.

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You can follow David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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