NEW YORK – The New York Knicks were having their doubts, wondering if All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis truly wanted to be part of the franchise. On Thursday, they say he made it clear he didn't.
"When he came in today, it was clear to us that it was time to pull the trigger on something," Knicks President Steve Mills said.
That was a seven-player swap with the Dallas Mavericks that also netted New York two future first-round draft picks and possibly enough room to afford two top free agents this summer.
Porzingis has been sidelined for nearly a year after tearing a ligament in his left knee. Now he will join the Mavs, where he can form an intriguing international frontcourt with rookie Luka Doncic. Both played professionally in Spain before coming to the NBA as top-five picks.
The Knicks acquired Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews in the deal, while also sending guards Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke and Courtney Lee to Dallas. New York General Manager Scott Perry said the Knicks would get an unprotected pick in 2021 and the other pick would be in 2023.
The 7-3 Porzingis was the No. 4 pick in 2015 and averaged 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds in New York, where he was expected to be the Knicks' franchise player for years.
New York (10-40) has the worst record in the NBA and is headed toward landing a high pick in the draft. Then the Knicks will be set up to be big spenders in a free-agent market that could include Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and more.
