2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Kristaps Porzingis: 5 years, $158 million (Dallas Mavericks)
The Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis have reached agreement on a new five-year, $158 million contract, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2019
The Dallas Mavericks really had no choice here. It was either pony up a five-year max to ensure Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic have the chance to create something special together, or risk losing KP’s burgeoning trust. That may have even led to him playing out the 2019-20 season on the qualifying offer before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.
This deal represents the lesser of two evils in that respect, but it’s still inherently risky — especially with no safeguards or injury protections in the contract. That, plus fully guaranteed money over five years, could easily backfire with a seven-footer coming off an ACL tear.
However, there’s no question the Unicorn will be worth every dime if he can return and stay healthy. He averaged 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game on 39.5 percent shooting from 3-point range in his most recent season, even earning an All-Star selection until he got hurt.
The value of this agreement will really come down to how healthy KP is and what he looks like upon his return, but if he goes back to being the two-way force he was becoming in New York, spending this kind of money on the soon-to-be 24-year-old will look like a no-brainer in retrospect.
Grade: A-