Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expects newest addition, Kristaps Porzingis, to be in rotation soon, though he admitted their game against the Los Angeles Lakers may come too soon.

The Warriors exchanged Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Porzingis.

Porzingis is averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18 NBA games this season, though he has not played since January 7 due to the continuing impact of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and left Achilles tendinitis.

However, Kerr says the move was green-lit with confidence that Porzingis would be back sooner rather than later, though he does not expect him to get medical clearance before Saturday's game at the Lakers.

"I don't think we would've made the trade if we didn't think he could be healthy and consistent in terms of being in the lineup," Kerr said. "That's the plan.

"When he's right, he's a helluva player. You're looking at a guy who really fits what we need – size, space, shooting, rim protection.

"Every team needs that, but we've always needed that since we've been here. We've never had a player quite like him."

The Latvian big man heads to The Bay.

Welcome to #DubNation, @kporzee  pic.twitter.com/sH5Q9kHKs5

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 6, 2026

On Thursday, the Warriors got back to winning ways after two losses with a 101-97 win over the Phoenix Suns.

With Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry both out, Pat Spencer led the Warriors with 20 points, while Gui Santos added 18 and De'Anthony Melton got 17.

Curry missed the game with a knee problem, but he is excited to get Porzingis on the court as the Warriors (28-24) look to improve on their current position of eighth in the Western Conference.

"I'm just hoping that he's healthy, first and foremost, so that he can do what he can do on the floor," Curry said.

"Him and Al [Horford] won a championship together [at the Boston Celtics]. Different context, but the idea of familiarity and skill-set and size and presence that we've been looking for a while."