And just as fast as reports came out that Kristaps Porzingis was questioning the organization’s culture of winning, the New York Knicks have shipped him out before the trade deadline — to the Dallas Mavericks.
As part of the deal, New York will be getting Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews as Dallas will get Porzingis, Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Sources: Full players involved in Knicks/Mavericks deal:
Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, Trey Burke to Dallas.
Dennis Smith Jr., Wes Matthews, DeAndre Jordan and likely first-round draft pick compensation to New York.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2019
Earlier today, Porzingis met with the Knicks brass to talk about the team’s success in the future and his role with the last-placed KNICKSTAPE. He questioned the direction of the franchise and if he should be a part of their losing ways. Obviously, without him, they have the worst record in the league and are clearly tanking for Zion Williamson.
As we all know, Kristaps has been out all year as he recovers from a torn ACL, which happened last February. It was expected that he’d be out the remainder of the season.
The Knicks could be staring at $74.6M in projected cap space for next season. That would be good enough for 2 max slots.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 31, 2019
This isn’t the first time that Kristaps has had problems with the organization, considering he wasn’t too thrilled with the last administration.
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.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2019