Getty Kristaps Porzingis appears to be headed to Dallas Mavericks in a trade.
The Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks have made a blockbuster trade with Kristaps Porzingis as the centerpiece, per The New York Times’ Marc Stein. “The Dallas Mavericks are nearing a trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks, according to league sources,” Stein tweeted.
Here are the full details of the Mavericks-Knicks trade, per The New York Times.
Dallas agreed to take on the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee to facilitate the acquisition of Porzingis, according to the people. The Knicks are poised to receive Dennis Smith Jr., the prized second-year guard, from Dallas and future first-round draft compensation, as well as the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.
…Dallas will be able to pair Porzingis — who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in July — with its star rookie Luka Doncic.
The final details of the potential trade have not been released, but here is a look at the Mavs new lineup with what we know so far about the deal. We will update the roster as additional trade details are announced. Porzingis is also still recovering from an injury, and this lineup is based on what the Mavs will look like when the big man is fully healthy.
Dallas Mavericks Roster & Projected Starting Lineup With Kristaps Porzingis
C- Kristaps Porzingis, Salah Mejri
PF- Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, Dirk Nowitzki, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Ray Spalding
SF- Harrison Barnes, Dorian Finney-Smith
SG- Tim Hardaway Jr., Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Ryan Broekhoff
PG- Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, J.J. Barea
There is a debate on when Porzingis will return to the floor as the Knicks were reportedly attempting to sit him for the season. Porzingis is said to be close to returning to the court. Trade talks between the Knicks and Mavericks escalated quickly after news broke today that the big man preferred a trade away from New York.
Porzingis Will Be a Restricted Free Agent in 2019
Porzingis is still on a cap-friendly rookie contract, but can become a restricted free agent in 2019. This means Porzingis can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Mavericks would have the right to match any offer. Porzingis is on a four-year, $18.6 million contract, per Spotrac. The big man would make $4.48 million for the 2019-20 season if he does not exercise his option.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Porzingis intends to sign the Mavericks’ offer this summer which would keep him off the free agent market.
“Sources: All-Star Kristaps Porzingis is planning to inform the Dallas Mavericks his intent is to sign the qualifying offer in restricted free agency this summer,” Charania tweeted.
