According to NBA insider guru, Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical, the New York Knicks are reportedly fielding calls for Dirk Nowitzki-clone forward Kristaps Porzingis. The great Woj describes a “frenzy of interest growing today” as teams learn that Phil Jackson is open to dealing Porzingis following a deteriorating relationship with the team.
Despite what may seem like a pipe-dream to land the Latvian forward, Mavs fans remain optimistic that somehow Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson can somehow create a path that lands the team’s next cornerstone piece despite being restricted by bevy of bloated contracts, limited young assets and the ninth pick in Thursday’s draft.
So, how exactly do the Mavs land Porzingis?
Matt Mosely of the Dallas Morning News gives his thoughts:
“It would be pretty easy to give them the ninth pick. Then the Knicks are sitting there with the eighth and ninth picks in a deep first round. Then you send them Dwight Powell, Yogi, Matthews and whatever else they want.”
Porzingis is easily better than anything the Mavs would be able to pick up out of the 2017 NBA Draft including expected No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz. He’s a younger, taller, more polished version of the Nowitzki that came into the league in 1998 with the ability score from anywhere while conversely not being a complete liability on the defensive end. Two years into the league, he’s shown the potential and has been tapped by NBA experts as the “Next Dirk Nowitzki” and maybe more. On top of that, a move to Dallas would give Porzingis an opportunity to spend a year (or even two) as Dirk’s understudy before he retires.
However, the reality is that while the Mavs could possibly garner enough of their assets together to offer the Knicks a fair deal, teams like Boston Celtics who have seven first round picks in the next three drafts, can easily outbid the Mavs for Porzingis’ services. For now and until the Mavs can gain any additional assets, a deal for Porzingis while possible, remains unlikely.
Twitter Reaction
Trade Porzingis, release Carmelo, build around franchise cornerstone Joakim Noah.
— Adi Joseph (@AdiJoseph) June 20, 2017
I've always thought the thing keeping the Knicks from contention was Kristaps Porzingis so this makes sense
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) June 20, 2017
ny hasnt had a pg in 20 years and phil wants to draft a slower, lower-ceiling, non-defense playing porzingis after trading the real one
— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) June 20, 2017
flat earth believers really more logical than knicks fans at this point
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) June 20, 2017
It's gonna take a little more than two pieces, a side, and a biscuit to land Porzingis in a Mavs uniform https://t.co/pgIYxIbHZ2
— Michael Lark (@Michael_Lark) June 20, 2017
So why is Porzingis trending. He's being traded. MAVS! COME ON GET HIM. GET HIM. EVEN IF WE HAVE THE SMALLEST CHANCE ON GETTING HIM. GET HIM
— ??? (@edza7x) June 20, 2017
Talking to a Mavs fan who wouldn't give up 9 for Porzingis. Talk about insane! #DallasMavs
— TANEYTOWN (@DownScreenMan) June 20, 2017
If i was the mavs i will trade my pick and dwight powell for porzingis
— Ivan Torres (@IvTmavs) May 17, 2017
The funny thing about the Knicks is that they can trade Porzingis, and MSG is still gonna be sold out. This is why they'll always suck.
— Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) June 20, 2017
@MostValuablePod Unlikely to happen , but with the turmoil in NY , can you see the Mavs trading for Porzingis as an heir to Dirk ?
— engine&ballin junky (@chrisunited93) May 7, 2017
I think Phil Jackson has a personal vendetta with the Knicks, & only agreed to be president to destroy the entire franchise from the inside?
— MindYaBiness (@TyWalston_40) June 20, 2017
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