Brad Townsend: Porzingis on the trade rumors: “It kind of came out and it is what it is. I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.” He says he focuses on not allowing distractions to affect his preparation.
More on Kristaps Porzingis Trade?
Brian Windhorst: There was a report in the Bleacher Report over the weekend that said Kristaps Porzingis was being floated on the trade market. I have to say I've heard the same.
Ian Begley on Kristaps Porzingis: (The Dallas Mavericks) have talked to several teams just quietly gauging his value on the trade market. One team they talked to was Golden State. I don't know if things have gotten far. I don't know if they're serious about moving him, but they're at least gauging his value around the league right now.
Multiple reports from Monday and Tuesday linked Dallas to having quiet discussions feeling out possible trade partners for Porzingis. However, Mavs owner Mark Cuban has outright denied those claims.
Those comments did not sit well with Cuban who said the Mavericks weren’t happy that there was a “supposed ‘Western Conference exec’ ripping on one of our players.” “I think they just used it as a way to put out there what they think of KP,” Cuban said.
The Dallas Mavericks have reached out to the Golden State Warriors to gauge interest in a Kristaps Porzingis trade, sources tell SNY's Ian Begley. Porzingis, 25, has had an up-and-down tenure in Dallas, showing flashes of offensive brilliance but dealing with injury issues and questions about his defense.
Dallas may also be asking this question. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the team has quietly gauged Porzingis’ trade value and no longer views him as untouchable, even if they’re not actively trying to trade him. (Mavericks owner Mark Cuban disputed the report, telling The Athletic via email, “Not true. We have not discussed him with anyone.”)
The organization still believes in what Porzingis could be, and I still think they’re right to do so. Even now, the potential for what Porzingis could be almost certainly outweighs the actual value he might have right now as a trade candidate. But the report feels particularly credible because the past few weeks have also been my first time questioning Porzingis’ future in Dallas.
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. "They've kicked the tires on everybody on their roster that's not named Luka," one person with knowledge of Dallas' thinking said. "You know [president of basketball operations] Donnie [Nelson]; they're always tinkering."
"They've definitely sniffed around on him," an assistant general manager told B/R. "They're taking the temperature, because they know at some point it's gonna come around."
For now, Dallas appears first interested in adding a center to help supplement Porzingis, sources said. The Mavericks have circled Andre Drummond as the Cleveland Cavaliers look to move in a different frontcourt direction of their own, but Dallas has expressed no interest in parting with Porzingis in those particular talks. "They want a big to pair with him," one league source said. "Obviously with physicality, rebounding, toughness."
The Knicks spent much of January quietly canvassing the league for potential Porzingis trades, according to a person familiar with the talks who was not authorized to discuss them publicly. They tried for untouchables such as Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and, predictably, were rebuffed.
A person with knowledge of the meeting said it was requested by the Porzingis brothers — after they had canceled a similar meeting earlier in January — and that it lasted less than five minutes. Later in the day, according to the person, Janis Porzingis provided the Knicks with a list of four teams he and Kristaps had deemed acceptable trade destinations. The Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers were among those teams, but Dallas was not on the list. The Knicks, meanwhile, were told Porzingis was prepared to leave the team and continue his knee rehabilitation in Spain if he was not moved by this week’s league trade deadline.
Mike Vorkunov: Team president Steve Mills, on MSG Network, says Knicks felt they had to trade Kristaps Porzingis by Feb 7th bc "if we let this go beyond the 7th, the leverage completely shifted. We would not have control of the situation." Had fear certain contracts would make him hard to deal. pic.twitter.com/oAb4W59sXn
Kristaps Porzingis: New York will always have a special place in my heart. Grateful for everybody who made this journey so special for my family and me.
Brian Lewis: #Nets rookie @RODIONS1 on fellow Latvian Kristaps Porzingis going from the #Knicks to the #Mavericks: “I think it will be a better situation for him. He’ll have good teammates there and I think he will be happy there.” #nyk
At the time of their trade of Porzingis, the Knicks had several offers for the 23-year-old big man, league sources told ESPN.
Dirk Nowitzki said Thursday night that he thinks the Dallas Mavericks might have added a franchise-type of player to their roster in Kristaps Porzingis and created a combination of young stars that could be fun to watch for a "long, long time."
"We feel like we did the right thing," Mills said in a conference call Thursday night. "When you try to think about how you want to build your team for the long term, you don't want to commit a max [contract] to a player who clearly says to you he doesn't want to be here. That would be a disservice for our organization and disservice to our fans."
Perry said the Knicks were aware of Porzingis' displeasure with the direction of the franchise in recent weeks. That was despite the fact both parties seemed to be on the same page after New York elected not to extend Porzingis' rookie contract, Mills said. The team president cited Porzingis' time spent at the team facility as one sign of his disconnect from the franchise. New York began to speak to teams about different trade scenarios involving Porzingis in recent days.
To what extent Dolan, the chairman of Madison Square Garden, played a role in trading Porzingis is unclear, but be sure that he was involved on some level. In January, Dolan, who also owns the NHL’s Rangers, told two hockey reporters in Las Vegas that “the real big difference between the Knicks and Rangers is (goaltender) Henrik (Lundqvist). If the Knicks had a Henrik, they’d probably be competing for a playoff spot. No Henrik, no playoff spot.” Dolan either purposely or unknowingly forgot that the Knicks have an All-Star who is currently recovering from major knee surgery. Porzingis, according to a source, was annoyed by the public slight.
As the Knicks descended to the worst team in the NBA this season, Porzingis expressed dismay recently to teammates Courtney Lee, Enes Kanter and others, according to a source. Porzingis, who hasn’t played in almost a year because of ACL surgery, is “essentially cleared to play,” a source told the Daily News, but was concerned about how the Knicks would handle his potential return during their tank job.
Barbara Barker: Steve Mills: "Overtime, it became clear to us that Kristaps was not on board with a plan we had laid out." Adds that it became clear that at meeting today he didn't want to be a Knick.
Tim Bontemps: Steve Mills says "I think you should ask KP," when asked why Kristaps Porzingis wasn't on board with the Knicks' plan moving forward.
Ben Golliver: Knicks' Steve Mills on Kristaps Porzingis: "You don't want to commit a max contract to a player who doesn't want to be here. That would be a disservice to our fans."
Tim Bontemps: Steve Mills: "What we did was create $68 million in salary cap room. We are going to be prudent in what we do with that room."
Adrian Wojnarowski: Dallas created a $12.9M trade exception as part of the deal with New York, league source tells ESPN.
Zach Lowe: Pick details via league memo: NYK receives next avail DAL 1st-rounder unprotected. Depending on when that happens, NYK then receives either DAL 2023, 2024, or 2025 1st-round pick-- top-10 protected in all three years. If they haven't received 1st by 2025, they get Mavs 2025 2nd.
The Knicks did call New Orleans about Anthony Davis, a source told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but the Pelicans weren't interested in the Latvian. There was uncertainty over Porzingis' willingness to remain in New Orleans beyond his current contract, sources said.
Some in the Knicks front office were enamored with Smith Jr. ahead of the 2017 NBA draft, sources said. The Knicks instead selected Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick. Ntilikina's name has come up in recent trade discussions, including informal talks between New York and Dallas about the possibility of moving Porzingis, sources told ESPN. New York will continue to try to trade disgruntled center Enes Kanter ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline, sources told ESPN.
Ian Begley: If the first-round pick Dallas traded to Atlanta isn’t conveyed in the 2019 Draft (it’s top five protected), the first-round picks the Knicks get from Dallas in today’s trade will be pushed back one season since teams can’t trade first-round picks in consecutive seasons.
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources with @Ian Begley: Dallas is sending New York a 2021 unprotected first-round pick and a 2023 protected first-round pick (1-10) in the deal.
Derek Bodner: One piece of feedback I'm consistently getting from executives around the league is it was not common knowledge prior to today that Porzingis was on the block. Multiple teams who had inquired about his availability in previous weeks were told he was untouchable, I'm told.
“As is standard for this time of year, we were exploring various options on potential trades,” said Scott Perry, General Manager, New York Knicks. “Considering the uncertainty regarding Kristaps’ free agent status and his request today to be traded, we made a trade that we are confident improves the franchise. We thank Kristaps, Tim, Courtney and Trey for their contributions and wish them all the best.”
Michael Scotto: The two first-round picks the New York Knicks will receive from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade will be in 2021 and 2023, The Athletic has learned. Both picks are protected.
Shams Charania: Sources: Dallas' draft compensation to New York in Kristaps Porzingis deal: Two future first-round picks.
Tim MacMahon: Mavs agreed to a trade with plan to sign Kristaps Porzingis to a long-term deal this summer and are confident they can with Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki selling him. “He loves Luka and Dirk,” a source said.
James Edwards III: Rick Carlisle said everyone that was involved in the deal was on the plane last night from New York. Added that the team didn’t get situated in Detroit until 3 a.m.
Tim Cato: Salah Mejri and Ryan Broekhoff are both on the floor warming up for the Mavericks tonight, which indicates Dallas won't be waiving either to complete this trade. 15th man Ray Spalding is the obvious candidate.
Shams Charania: Porzingis is incredibly fond of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic -- and the Mavericks have confidence they will be able to keep Porzingis, league sources said. Knicks/Mavericks talks started picking up steam Wednesday night.
Ian Begley: Worth noting: Kristaps Porzingis is familiar with Luka Doncic from his workouts in Madrid over the summer. Porzingis spent time in the city while rehabbing his ACL at the Real Madrid facility.
Ian Begley: The discussions between Dallas and the Knicks on the Kristaps Porzingis trade began a few days ago, per sources. The Knicks, clearly, were aware of the uncertainty surrounding Porzingis.
Evan Turner: That was a good trade for both the Knicks and mavs
Kevin Knox: 😧😧
Joel Embiid: Lololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololo Lololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololo
CJ McCollum: Prob a good time to turn on notifications and leave do not disturb mode 🤣
Myles Turner: 🦄 to the metroplex! I’m here for it!
Jordan Crawford: That’s all you got for Porzingis??? Hold up man 🤦🏾♂️ lol
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kristaps Porzingis, who can become a restricted free agent this summer, has yet to make a decision on his future with Dallas, league sources tell ESPN. He expects to start the process of getting to know the organization soon. Porzingis will continue to rehab his ACL injury.
The Knicks get a point guard of the future in Smith, who had a triple-double at the Garden on Wednesday night, and should now have enough cap space for two maximum free agents — with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving squarely on their radar. A source said general manager Scott Perry and Mavs chief Donnie Nelson were behind closed doors at the Garden discussing scenarios when the Mavericks faced the Knicks on Wednesday night.
Hardaway and Lee have contracts that don’t expire until 2020. The Knicks shopped Lee since the summer and Hardaway since the recent downturn in his play. According to a source, Porzingis has harbored these feelings for a couple of years, leading to his missed exit meeting after the 2016-17 season, but the Knicks’ allowing reports about Porzingis possibly being available in a trade didn’t sit well with the Porzingis camp.
A source said Janis Porzingis was anxious about the Anthony Davis rumors this week while the Knicks fell to the NBA’s bottom at 10-40. Porzingis is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, and the Knicks could have matched any offer.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Knicks and Mavericks have scheduled a trade call with the league office to finalize Porzingis deal, sources tell @ramonashelburne.
Enes Kanter: 🙄🤷♂️
Alex Kennedy: I texted a few NBA players about this Kristaps Porzingis trade. Most hadn't heard the news yet and thought it was fake. A lot of rival players are stunned right now.
Shams Charania: 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.
The Knicks, by including the contracts of Hardaway and Lee, will clear the requisite salary-cap space this summer to pursue two maximum contract free agents, while Dallas will be able to pair Porzingis — who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in July — with its star rookie Luka Doncic.
Alex Kennedy: Text from an Eastern Conference star: "I had just read that [Kristaps Porzingis] asked for a trade and then 2 minutes later, he's traded. This is crazy! Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis! That's going to be a fun duo to watch!"
Adrian Wojnarowski: New York has agreed with Dallas on trade that includes Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., for Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr. and DeAndre Jordan, league sources tell ESPN. Players and agents are being notified of particulars. Deal may include more draft assets.
Shams Charania: Sources: New York and Dallas have agreed in principle on a trade sending package around Kristaps Porzingis for Dennis Smith Jr. Wes Matthews, other contracts, and picks going to New York, and Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke among players going to Dallas. Sides finishing final terms.
Tim MacMahon: Sources confirm @TheSteinLine report: Mavs closing in on deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis along with Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. Package to Knicks includes Dennis Smith Jr. and expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.
Mike Fisher: #Mavs first overture to trade for #Knicks #Porzingis - Sources told DBcom summer of 2017. And they've kinda been trying every since.
Vincent Goodwill: The Knicks-Mavericks deal involving Kristaps Porzingis is close to being finalized, sources tell @YahooSports
The Dallas Mavericks are nearing a trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks, according to league sources
New York and Dallas are in deep discussions on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks and Dennis Smith Jr. to the Knicks, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
The Mavericks have agreed to take on the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee to faciliate a Porzingis trade and are working to complete the transaction today, league sources say
New York is finalizing a deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, league sources tell ESPN.
The Knicks would receive Dennis Smith Jr. and the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews in the proposed trade, according to league sources
A deal between the teams appears imminent, league sources tell @nytsports
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kristaps Porzingis left the Knicks with the impression that he prefers to be traded, league sources tell @Ramona Shelburne and me. Knicks are expected to commence discussions on moving him ahead of next Thursday's deadline.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors are among many teams expected to pursue Kristaps Porzingis in a trade, league sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors are among many teams expected to pursue Kristaps Porzingis in a trade, league sources tell ESPN. Zach Lowe: Keep an extra eye on San Antonio.
New York Knicks president Steve Mills believes that the organization has repaired its relationship with young star Kristaps Porzingis and that the club will be well-positioned to attract top free agents in the summer of 2019.
Mills was asked by Smith if he had any concern that Porzingis, who is eligible for a five-year extension worth more than $150 million this summer, would seek a trade from the Knicks as other stars such as Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving have done in recent seasons. "No," Mills said. "We've worked really hard in rebuilding the relationship with KP. For Scott and me, it's been with his brother (Janis Porzingis). We had to make Janis, who is his agent and his brother, make him feel like he was part of our group and let him understand what we're doing as a team. Where we're taking this thing.”
The good news for the Knicks is that Spurs coach/president Gregg Popovich likes Knicks young point guard Frank Ntilikina a lot. The bad news for the Knicks is, Popovich also loves Kristaps Porzingis — whose inclusion is probably the only way a Kawhi Leonard deal gets done. According to sources, Knicks brass was interested in pursuing Spurs forward Leonard as a free agent in 2019. But now it looks like Leonard could hit the trade market after a series of reports stated he wants out of San Antonio.
One plausible option is to trade Leonard, which should be of interest to the Knicks. Any deal for Leonard would have to include Kristaps Porzingis, whom the Spurs are said to be head over heels with, as well as a first-round pick. It’s a steep price, but the addition of Leonard plus available cap space in the summer of 2019 could dramatically alter the course of history for the star-crossed franchise.
Kristaps Porzingis said he wasn’t too concerned about his future on Draft Night despite the fact that former Knicks president Phil Jackson was listening to trade offers for him. “I was asleep,” Porzingis said after practice Tuesday.
Kristaps Porzingis: "I tried to not really listen to it. I tried to not focus on it. That can only disturb your work at that moment. I was just trying to focus on the work. That's something that's not in my hands at that point anymore. I can't affect it."
When the Cavaliers talked to the Knicks about Kyrie Irving, Cleveland brass had no interest in discussing Carmelo Anthony. Kristaps Porzingis was their lone focus.
The Knicks don’t appear interested in trading Kristaps Porzingis, including a possible deal for Cavaliers All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, according to a league source. ESPN reported on Tuesday that the Cavaliers may be preparing for a future without LeBron James and have Porzingis as a “primary” target in trade scenarios for Irving. The Cavaliers appear focused on getting back a young star in return for Irving, the report said.
“[Knicks president] Steve Mills and [Knicks general manager] Scott Perry on the record were very clear that Kristaps was part of the future,’’ the source said in reference to comments made last month by both executives. “In all the discussions since then — there were other rumors before that Cleveland would want Kristaps — and it didn’t seem that [the Knicks] were interested at all in a conversation.’’
Porzingis has emerged as a primary Cleveland target, but that's a conversation that can occur only with Cleveland's willingness to unburden the Knicks of the three years and $55 million left on Joakim Noah's contract. For now, the conversation is a nonstarter for the Knicks, league sources said.
There continues to be distance between Porzingis and the organization, and how the Knicks truly value Porzingis' future could become clearer once they're together to begin the season.
