Mavericks ‘sniffed around’ on Kristaps Porzingis’ trade value (Report)

Multiple reports indicate that the Mavericks are testing the market for former Knick Kristaps Porzingis, but Mark Cuban is pushing back.

Plenty of folks (including this writer) have declared the Kristaps Porzingis trade a resounding win for the Dallas Mavericks. But like many NBA trades, the definitive winners and losers of this trade are changing as time goes on. As it stands, the New York Knicks might be on the right side of history.

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report is reporting that the Mavericks have “quietly gauged the trade market for Porzingis.” This would indicate that Dallas is having second thoughts about investing in KP as the Robin to Luka Doncic‘s Batman.

Here is the full quote from Fisher:

“In fact, Dallas has quietly gauged the trade market for Porzingis, according to league sources, as the Mavericks have begun reevaluating whether the 25-year-old center can truly support Doncic as the second option on a contender.”

SNY’s Ian Begley is also reporting that the Mavericks touched base with the Golden State Warriors on potential interest in a Porzingis trade.

Unsurprisingly, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is denying reports that the team is discussing the possibility of trading Porzingis.

As the Porzingis trade-talk smoke billows, I asked @mcuban about reports that Mavs have gauged @kporzee trade value.

"It's not accurate," he says. "We have not discussed him in a trade at all. Has not happened."

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 23, 2021

After an impressive first season with the Mavericks, which included a second-team All-Bubble selection, Porzingis has taken a major step back. KP is averaging 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this year on very respectable shooting splits, but his defense is the real problem.

Once viewed as a potential Defensive Player of the Year with his length and shot-blocking, injuries might be taking their toll on the Unicorn. Porzingis doesn’t have the footspeed that he did years ago and he is struggling to keep anyone in front of him as a result.

Whether or not the trade rumors end up bubbling up into anything more remains to be seen, but all eyes are on the Latvian big man as he tries to develop into a championship running mate for Doncic in Dallas.