JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 3: Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks goes through a workout as part of Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 3, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) The NBA’s dramatic trade deadline festivities kicked off a week early, when on Thursday afternoon the New York Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks, not two hours after it was reported that the 23-year-old expressed concerns to management over the franchise’s direction. The Knicks will receive DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr. and draft assets for Porzingis, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee. The reasoning here is clear on all sides: Porzingis wanted a sense of organizational stability he didn’t think the Knicks could provide. Upon learning that, New York pivoted its focus toward the offseason, taking on expiring deals as a means of clearing cap space for the summer. Dallas jumped at the opportunity to acquire another blossoming star to pair with Luka Dončić. All other parties involved were merely collateral damage. Both teams prioritized top-end talent, but in completely dichotomous ways. The immediate return for the Knicks is neither useless nor particularly exciting. They did not extract maximum value for Porzingis, a potential perennial All-Star just entering his prime. He, however, has not played in nearly a year and appeared to distrust the organization to an irreparable degree. Sensible or not, New York now has something of a fresh start. After passing on Smith in favor of Frank Ntilikina in the 2017 Draft, the team has united the two in an interesting yet uncertain young backcourt. Jordan and Matthews will likely be playing elsewhere next season — if not sooner — while Dallas’ 2021 and 2023 first-round picks will likely be outside the lottery. The real boon is the flexibility the Knicks have moving forward. Trading Porzingis for expiring contracts — leaving just $18.7 million of guaranteed salary on their books next season — signals major aspirations for the upcoming summer, when the likes of Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson can all hit the open market. The Knicks could sign up to two of those players (and flip more of its young assets for another star) and are clearly anticipating being a key player in free agency. That gives them no assurance of signing a star, though, and given the dysfunction that has plagued the franchise for the last two decades, this trade is liable to blow up in the Knicks’ faces. For now, New York did what it could with an uncomfortable situation. Its real fate won’t be decided for another five months. Absent superstar free-agent signings, a franchise’s best hope for rising toward contention is through malleable young talent, and Dallas was quick to double down on it. In obtaining Porzingis, the Mavericks gave themselves a stronger foundation upon which to build — with two useful stopgaps in Lee and Hardaway to boot. A team with a player as special as Dončić has a certain obligation to maximize his prime. Giving him a running mate of nearly equal standing is a good place to start. Opportunities to acquire players like Dončić and Porzingis simply don’t arise often, and Dallas has now justifiably made aggressive plays for both in the last seven months. The two will, theoretically, complement one another nicely when Porzingis returns — whenever that may be — and enjoy a comfortable on-court partnership. Their two-man game should put nearly immeasurable strain on defenses, who will have to concede some advantage on every pick-and-roll. Dončić is already a masterful facilitator who effortlessly finds shooters, roll men and driving lanes, while Porzingis is one of the best shooting big men in the league. With more capable playmakers around him, Porzingis will find his shots come more easily than they did in New York, as Dončić, in turn, works with more space around him than ever before. Matthews and Jordan were never going to be around for Dončić’s prime. Porzingis, in all likelihood, will be and is a better prospect and more logical fit with Dončić than Smith was. The Mavs may miss Jordan’s presence above the rim as a roll man, though Porzingis may prove just as capable in that capacity and, when healthy, offers more value on the defensive end. Matthews had played well, but Hardaway and Lee should step in without missing a beat. Even if Porzingis doesn’t fully blossom into a superstar or refuses to commit to the Mavs long-term, the mere possibilities that he might was enough to jump at. In New York, he showed flashes of two-way brilliance, even if they came in fits and starts. Last year he shot 39 percent from distance while averaging nearly 23 points per game before losing the rest of the season to a torn ACL. No big man held opponents to a lower field goal percentage at the rim. This is the promise on which the Mavs are betting. For the time being, they’ve paved a way for Dončić to keep developing as Porzingis continues to rehab. Only now, both players can proceed with a clearer way forward.<doc-sep>A quick exploration of how the trade of Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks affects the Atlanta Hawks draft pick from the Mavs in the 2019 NBA Draft. When the Atlanta Hawks traded the draft rights to Luka Doncic for the rights to Trae Young, Atlanta also received Dallas’s top five-protected 2019 draft pick. As everyone knows by now, the Mavericks shook the NBA world on Thursday when they traded for the Zinger, Kristaps Porzingis, in what can easily be deemed a salary dump by the New York Knicks. However, in that deal the Knicks also acquired two future first round picks from the Mavericks along with the expiring salaries of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews. So how does this trade affect the Dallas Mavericks pick (that the Atlanta Hawks are likely to own) in the 2019 NBA Draft? There was much speculation at first, then confirmation of the picks: 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. — Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 31, 2019 After that, people began wondering how this would affect the Atlanta Hawks picks in the 2019 Draft: I don’t know the technicalities, but I’ve been told that the top-5 protection remains intact on the pick the Mavs owe the Hawks. https://t.co/ocDH5sigt2 — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 31, 2019 Finally, ESPN basketball maestro Zach Lowe provided the final word on the picks: 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. — Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 1, 2019 In the end, what does that mean for the Hawks? Not much actually. At first it was speculated that Dallas would have to remove the protections this year, which would’ve been an absolute joy for Hawks fans to hear, but it seems as if that is not the case – meaning the Mavs still have a chance to keep their selection this year if it falls in the Top 5. It also must be noted that Porzingis has been making noise all season that he is willing and able to play, but the Knicks were holding him out in order to both tank and ensure he stays healthy. If the Zinger returns and plays well for the Mavs, will their draft pick position become less valuable? Maybe. As of right now, it seems likely that Luka’s exploits should allow the Mavs to stay right around where they have been all season – meaning their odds are fairly slim at keeping their pick. No matter what happens, there will be plenty more fireworks to come ahead of the February 7 trade deadline, with the Atlanta Hawks likely playing a big role. Stay tuned!<doc-sep>Knicks fans never get what they want, and for almost all of them Thursday, the end of the Kristaps Porzingis era was another low blow from the team they have sullenly supported through perpetual malaise. The Unicorn’s trade to the Dallas Mavericks shook the NBA, and Knicks fans got all in their feelings when the news broke. That shouldn’t have come as a surprise, considering how much of a fan favorite Porzingis had become—at 7’3”, with surprising athleticism and a personality to match his cartoonish frame, it didn’t take the Latvian long to endear himself to New York’s passionate fan base. He was an unknown when he was selected fourth overall in 2015 and booed on draft night in Brooklyn, but quickly blossomed into an All-Star who was destined to be the next Knicks superstar. More than anything, he represented hope—basically the only thing Knicks fans have been able to hang their hats on for the last 20 years. Porzingis was destined to be the Knicks’ savior—he would attract top-tier talent to play alongside him and eventually do what Carmelo Anthony and Patrick Ewing were never able to. He showed that the organization, despite all its missteps over the years, could actually get it right with a player and develop him. That lasted less than four seasons, and Knicks fans feel betrayed. More accurately, they’re pissed, ready to burn down Madison Square Garden. To nearly all of them, it feels incredibly shortsighted that they shipped off their best, albeit injured, player for so much uncertainty. The current version of the Knicks is supposed to be rebuilding through the draft and around everyone’s favorite player, KP, as he rehabs from a torn ACL. Another high lottery pick is on the way in June, thanks to another horrific season. And while Knicks fans probably experienced PTSD upon hearing the trade—taking them back to the days of Scott Layden, Isiah Thomas, and Phil Jackson sabotaging long-term success with atrocious short-term transactions—I’m here to tell you trading Porzingis wasn’t a bad move. Maybe it wasn’t the most prudent thing right now, and I definitely understand why Knicks fans killed them for it, but here’s why I’m not piling on. Internally, it’s crazy how quickly KP went from the favorite to the most hated. It’s going to be even crazier how quickly Knicks fans forget about him if that $71 million is put to good use. While the real winner of the deal won’t be known for three, four, maybe even five years, I’d contend that the Knicks have paved a quicker path to relevance and winning thanks to the mountain of cap space they cleared in Thursday’s trade. By throwing in Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke in the deal with Dallas, GM Scott Perry managed to carve out $71 million in cap space this off-season so the Knicks can make serious, serious offers to not one but two of the most attractive free agents come July. And if you didn’t already know, this summer’s crop of free agents is loaded. The options are stupefying, with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, and Kemba Walker (plus a few more All-Star-caliber players) all potentially available. Maybe the Knicks know something the rest of the league doesn’t and have some kind of under-the-table deal worked out to bring in a Kyrie and/or a KD (insert kramer-mind-blown.gif) and that’s why KP was traded in what felt like a matter of minutes. How could you turn down a deal to ship out a disgruntled player who requested a trade and two terrible contracts (Hardaway and Lee) that netted them the chance to pursue much, much better players? Maybe they can attract a Butler and Cousins, which would be a massive upgrade over what they had 24 hours ago. Even if the Knicks signed only one of the guys mentioned above, I’d make the case they’re going to be the winners of this trade. Because at that point, with June’s high lottery draft pick, impressive rookie Kevin Knox, and a TBD free agent (not to mention extra future first-round picks acquired from Dallas in Thursday’s trade), I’d argue the Knicks, post-KP, are much closer to being a legit team in the East with that core than one made up of a rehabbing Porzingis, Knox, Hardaway, and June’s pick. A healthy Porzingis was maybe the eighth-best free agent available (at best) this summer. Post-injury? Maybe he’s top 15. Plus, let’s not forget his history of other injuries (back, ankle, shoulder, etc.). Landing any of the above names would immediately calm crazed Knicks fans. And if they somehow attracted two top-tier free agents? It would be a grand slam for management. KP who?! ? Haters of the trade can easily counter: When was the last time the Knicks got a high-level free agent? When they tried to pull this off in 2010, all they ended up with was Amar’e Stoudemire. So they’d be right. But when a team has as much money as the Knicks to throw around, how can they not attract someone—anyone—to play for them? Cousins is looking to recoup money after taking a one-year deal with the Warriors. I know he’s not sexy, but don’t sleep on Tobias Harris of the Clippers. Hell, get Nikola Vucevic from the Magic, who is an underrated, skilled seven-footer, and another high-level guard and the roster is instantly upgraded over what it just was. And if you can only get one, save some of the money for later. Image via USA Today Sports/Adam Hunger I can’t fight haters of the trade on how bad it looks—that the Knicks were foolish not to shop Porzingis around way longer than it seems they did. It felt like we went from a random Woj bomb about rumors of Porzingis wanting out of New York Thursday afternoon to a confirmation of the trade in minutes. It was crazy and surreal, and completely blindsided so many NBA observers. The rationale: Porzingis wasn’t on board with management’s direction. Plenty of Knicks fans will laugh at that, considering Porzingis played for four head coaches. Shipping KP to the Mavericks seven days before the trade deadline only for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two future first-round picks (one that’s unprotected) felt deflating. For many, it felt treasonous. Doesn’t KP deserve a bigger return? Shouldn’t they have called the Pelicans to see what Anthony Davis’ deal was? Yes, they should have, and maybe we’ll find out they did. And you can make the argument that an injured KP doesn’t deserve a bigger return. Maybe the Knicks could’ve played hardball and gotten more from another squad, but let’s not forget Porzingis isn’t playing again until next October, most likely. At only 23, he should have his best days ahead of him, but I have some reservations that Porzingis is going to magically be the player he was before the ACL tear when there is no track record of a player of his height and athleticism returning to form after such a devastating injury. Also, let’s not gloss over the fact he was a restricted free agent this summer and probably would have been aggressive in getting out of town. Sure, the Knicks could have matched any offer, but they’d be bringing back somebody who didn’t really want to be there in the first place. So, really, why? Either you want to be with somebody or you don’t, and Porzingis let it be known he was done with the Knicks. Wouldn’t it be better to pair Knox and whoever is drafted with somebody who wants to be at the Garden and isn’t going to continue beefing with the organization? And, real talk, we can have a whole other argument about whether Porzingis is even good enough to demand being traded after two and a half years of service. What has he done in the NBA to pull an Anthony Davis? So kill the trade, kill me for not killing it, slander me for being cool with it. The Knicks cleared cap space—a ton of it—Thursday, so how is that a bad thing?<doc-sep>
It doesn’t even seem like the New York Knicks thought that hard about trading their franchise player. Thursday afternoon, reports surfaced that Kristaps Porzingis, the best player the Knicks have drafted since Patrick Ewing, had told the team’s front office he was concerned with its direction. In less than an hour, the Knicks had already accepted a deal trading their unicorn to the Mavericks for some regular-ass horses and cap space. Did they even shop around? Viewed positively, the trade brings back two future first-rounders—one of which is fully unprotected, per ESPN—and allows the Knicks to compete on the free-agent market this offseason. Porzingis was bait to get the Mavericks to take on Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee, who are owed almost $50 million after this season. The Knicks will now have $75 million to spend this summer, enough to sign legitimate superstars in free agency. It’s possible that everything will turn out OK. All Knicks fans have to do is trust the same people who gave wildly misguided contracts to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee. For the first time in a long time, it felt like the Knicks had a plan. Yes, the plan was losing a lot—they’re 10-40, on track for a solid 16 wins. But over the past 15-ish years, the Knicks have almost always lost a lot. Most of the time, they’d done it with overpaid rosters that foolish front offices somehow thought would contend. This year’s Knicks were losing the way you’re supposed to lose—by design. They have a highly valuable draft pick in their pocket, a squad primarily composed of low-rent youngsters, and cap space on the horizon—and until Thursday, they had a proven superstar waiting to return from an ACL injury in Porzingis. It was oddly comforting; after years of failed win-now moves, the Knicks have any sort of long-term strategy. Here’s an incomplete list of obviously shortsighted decisions the team has made: The Knicks hired Isiah Thomas as GM, watched him build a team that somehow had the league’s worst record and second-most expensive roster, then later decided he should also be the coach. They spent big on Larry Brown as head coach, then fired him after just a year. They traded away two first-round draft picks for Stephon Marbury. They traded a first-round draft pick for Eddy Curry. They traded a first-round draft pick for Andrea Bargnani. They learned that Carmelo Anthony wanted to join the Knicks, then traded away a slew of homegrown talent and a first-round pick in order to acquire him before the 2012 trade deadline. They hired legitimate basketball genius Mike D’Antoni, and put clamps on how he was allowed to coach the team. They thought Derek Fisher would be a good coach despite literally no evidence that this would be true, then fired him within two seasons. They hired Jeff Hornacek, then fired him after two seasons. They spent $60 million to get Phil Jackson as team president, then dealt with years of constant flip-flopping over whether the team’s coaches would be forced to run the triangle offense. They massively overpaid for Hardaway and Joakim Noah, when there didn’t seem to be much of a market for either player. In the ultimate act of mismanagement, the Knicks let Jackson make the team’s pick in the 2017 draft, then fired him days later. He had chosen Frank Ntilikina, because he presumably thought Ntilikina would be the better point guard for the triangle offense than Dennis Smith Jr., who was selected one spot later by the Mavericks. They could’ve had him on the team already, if not for the Jackson confusion two years ago. This is why it’s so jarring to see the Knicks make yet another move without a clear payoff. Every Knicks failure of the past two decades has been based on making a move to scratch some immediate itch, never once considering whether or not it might seem utterly stupid within a half-hour. Porzingis was unlike any Knicks star in decades. Every leading man the Knicks have employed over the past two decades has been acquired via either hilariously lopsided trade or hilariously overpriced contract. They got decent players, but lost any chance to contend by acquiring them. Porzingis was different, a home-grown star who had turned into everything New York wanted from him. At 7-foot-3, he could’ve turned out to be a stick figure easily blown over by the wind, or a cloddish stiff incapable of existing in today’s NBA.