"I can answer that for him", Cuban said.
The way Sean Deveney sees it is yes the elder Porzingis had an effect but he's not willing to say it was the deciding factor.
He's already dreaming of the ways to use Porzingis, a 7-foot-3 center/forward, and his prized rookie phenom Luka Doncic, together as a one-two punch in the National Basketball Association.
Porzingis talked about playing with Doncic. Especially if this draft approaches and the Mavs struggle in 2020-21, it makes this selection more valuable.
Mark Cuban has a plan for his new stars. "Everything so far, all the conversations so far, have been very positive". Trey Burke joining the deal made way for Dennis Smith Jr., who the Knicks were always fond of.
Porzingis probably won't get to play with the European star he grew up watching: Dirk Nowitzki. As Cuban told ESPN last week, the Mavs expect Porzingis to sit out the rest of the season as he continues to rehabilitate the torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered a year ago. Check back next season when we finally found out how much it could pay off on the court.
The good news is that Porzingis and the Mavericks appear to be on the same page of keeping the Latvian in Dallas, as Porzingis agreed when Cuban said he plans to sign long-term in Dallas. My leg is feeling great. "I'm still trying to be patient and doing all of the little things right but I'm excited because I feel great".
Porzingis said on Monday that "there might be a time when I go into more detail" about the depths of his discontent as a Knick and the reasons that led him to push for his departure.