Reviewing the trade that sent former New York Knicks franchise star Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks, one year later.
On January 31, 2019, the New York Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks, along with Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee for DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr., a 2021 1st round draft pick and a 2023 1st round draft pick (Top-10 Protected).
In light of Mark Cuban’s recent comments regarding the trade, it seemed like a good opportunity to revisit the deal by examining the individual pieces. Let’s start with New York’s new villain Kristaps Porzingis.
After arriving in Dallas, the “unicorn” forward did not play for the remainder of the 2019 season, getting his first chance to return to the court during this current 2019-20 season. While it took him some time to adjust to being the number two option in the offense, he eventually seemed to return to his old-self prior to his devastating injury.
He averaged 19.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, hitting 2.5 three pointers per game at the rate of 34.9%. He has played in 51 of 66 games so far this season. While it’s tough to say if he can continue to be a healthy contributor, Porzingis showed hints that he can return to his dominant self.
Now, let’s get into the major components of the trade, easily overlooked by the headline name.
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.
Knicks receive: Dennis Smith Jr.
The Knicks passed on Dennis Smith Jr. in the 2017 draft to select Frank Ntilikina. While there was plenty of debate on which point guard was the right selection, neither Ntilikina nor Dennis Smith Jr have impressed since entering the league.
While getting more touches with the Knicks, Smith Jr.’s efficiency dropped with his new team. Nonetheless, he finished the season averaging 14.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals, while shooting 41.3% from the field. By the start of the 2019-20 season, Dennis Smith Jr. was in the back of the point guard depth and also dealt with some injuries
So far in this season, he’s averaging 5.5 points, 2.9 assists, and 0.8 steals while shooting 34.1%. He’s only played in 34 games. There was plenty of hype regarding the athletic point guard from North Carolina, and the Knicks were hopeful they could tap into that potential in finding the answer to their point guard woes, but it appears Smith Jr.’s time with the Knicks will be short.
Knicks receive: DeAndre Jordan & Wesley Matthews
DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews were necessary additions to the Porzingis trade in order to make the salaries work. Both came to New York on expiring contracts. However, Jordan’s addition was seen as a possible pre-cursor to the signing of Kevin Durant the following summer, as he is close with the superstar forward (we all know how that worked out).
Wesley Matthew suited up for just two games with the Knicks. He later requested to be waived to play for a contender and the team mutually agreed to let him walk and finish the season with the Indiana Pacers.
While DeAndre Jordan was a shell of his All-Star days, he stuck it out with the Knicks for the remainder of the lost 2018-19 season, sharing time with Mitchell Robinson, acting as a mentor in the locker room. Jordan also averaged a double-double with 11.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.
In the end, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets to play with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Knicks receive: 2021 1st Round Pick / 2023 1st Round Pick
The prize of the Porzingis trade return remains the draft picks netted in the deal. While there was hope the 2021 pick could turn into a decent selection, it appears the Mavs are going up, not down in the standings. They currently sit at 40-27 as the 7th seed in the Western conference and the record would’ve been better if Luka Doncic and Porzingis were healthy for the full season.
Dallas’ success consequently implicates the draft picks received in the trade.
The 2021 1st Round Pick will probably be in the 20’s, and I believe we can expect the same for the 2023 1st Round Pick. And since it’s Top-10 protected, even if the Mavericks somehow suffer a losing season due to an injury, or unexpected downfall, the pick would no longer belong to the Knicks.
Time will tell what the Knicks will do with the two draft picks, but from a player exchange stand point, the Knicks really lost this trade. Regardless of the potential summer signings, the early returns of this trade depended on Dennis Smith Jr.’s development, which has been anything but positive.