This season ended about as poorly as possible as it could for Kristaps Porzingis. The Dallas Mavericks were up 2-0 and 3-2 in their best of seven series against the LA Clippers before being eliminated. Luka Doncic continues to take a step forward as one of the preeminent talents in the league for years to come.
Porzingis, for his part, posted a paltry stat line of 13.1 points and 5.4 rebounds over seven games. The trade machine was already being fired up by many fans when reports came out that Porzingis was indeed frustrated.
As the offseason nears, the Dallas Mavericks are likely to listen to offers for Kristaps Porzingis. Here are five projections of what they could consider.
Finding the right trade for Porzingis is no easy task. He looks like an All-Star during the regular season when he can be on the court. However, since his last (and only) All-Star appearance in 2018 he has missed an entire season and then played 100 games over two years. Combined with his lack of rim protection (as noticeably pointed out by Paul George) and enormous contract, the market starts to get dicier.
If the Mavericks choose to trade Porzingis, getting it right will shape the future of the team they can put around Doncic. With $31.6 million, $33.8 million and $36 million committed over the next season and the looming max contract coming Doncic’s way this could be the last offseason the team has any financial flexibility for the foreseeable future.