Kristaps Porzingis
Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

In the blink of an eye, the New York Knicks are finalizing a trade to send Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks.

What a day for the New York Knicks. Kristaps Porzingis’ displeasure with the organization is officially over. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Knicks and Dallas Mavericks are finalizing a deal centered around Porzingis.

Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that the deal includes Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, and Wes Matthews. Furthermore, New York will receive a future first-round draft pick while shedding the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee.

The Kristaps Porzingis era in New York ended in an avalanche. The news quickly leaked out from Porzingis’ meeting with management and as fast as the world could process what was happening.

First of all, there had to be serious issues brewing between the organization and Porzingis for a long time. Things happened so quickly and the Knicks seemed willing to deal KP in return for not much value. Jordan and Matthews are gone after this year and although Dennis Smith Jr. is a promising young player, he comes with flaws.

Furthermore, the Knicks used KP to deal away Hardaway and Lee’s constraining contracts. It’s clear that the Knicks are ready to move on and completely refocus in advance of the summer.

In the short term, the Knicks will improve a whole lot. Jordan, Matthews, and Smith (if they all play), will ensure the Knicks win more games this season. That means they hurt their chances at landing Zion Williamson although at best, they only have a 14 percent

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this deal is that the Knicks have cleared enough room for two max free agents this summer. They are getting ready to go all in on free agency and hope they can convince two major free agents to come to New York.

Porzingis’ displeasure with the organization could hurt the Knicks next summer. But then again, money talks and if two guys (say Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler) really want to play together, the Knicks have enough in the bank.

 
NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.