New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis trade, one year later

Knicks trade: Tim Hardaway Jr. & Courtney Lee

The return for trading Kristaps Porzingis depreciated by New York’s desire to include both Tim Hardaway Jr.’s and Courtney Lee’s contracts in the deal.

After Steve Mills inexplicably handed out a mega offer sheet to the Michigan alum, the rest of the front office quickly figured out that he was the same inefficient volume shooter that they traded away in 2015. His deficiencies were hidden by Mike Budenholzer in Atlanta.

Hardaway continued to be the same player on the Mavericks for the remainder of the season. However during the 2019-20 season, Hardaway became more efficient than his time in New York. He averaged 15.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and made 2.9 threes at a rate of 40.7%. He became a very complementary piece to Rick Carlisle’s top offense in the league.

Courtney Lee was not getting minutes for the Knicks and was not getting any younger. In his limited playing, the veteran has been a great rotational piece for the team.

Both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee were a salary dump to the Mavericks as the Knicks needed the cap space for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (we all know how that turned out). Rick Carlisle took the salary dump players and made them into efficient role players for the Mavericks.