In recent years, the New York Knicks and Mavericks have done deals with one another numerous times. The biggest one of course was the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but even since then, former Knicks guard Reggie Bullock has signed with the Mavericks in free agency. There’s a pipeline that goes from New York to Dallas.
However, it’d be a stretch to say that the Knicks and Mavericks are on good terms after what went down this past summer in free agency. Dallas sat back and watched as its second-best player packed his bags and left Texas for New York City.
Signing Jalen Brunson is a move that undoubtedly elevated the Knicks. Now that we’re on the topic of the Mavericks’ mistakes, let’s take a look at how three of Dallas’ decisions have benefitted New York over the past few years.
3 ways the Mavericks’ disastrous decisions have benefitted the Knicks
3: Kristaps Porzingis trade
Time flies. It’s been over four years since the Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tim Burke to the Mavericks in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two first-round picks.
Per usual, New York was clowned for how the Porzingis situation ended, especially since the team selected him No. 4. overall in 2015. However, it’s a trade that the Knicks won. Since leaving New York, Porzingis has been traded to the Wizards. He’s currently on track to have the best season of his career in Washington as he’s averaging 22.5 points and 8.7 rebounds in 44 games.
In retrospect, trading Porzingis to the Mavericks in 2019 is a move that benefitted the Knicks. In his three years in Dallas, he played in only 134 games. That’s less than two seasons’ worth of games.
The best part is that New York didn’t have to worry about paying Porzingis. He signed a five-year, $158 million contract with Dallas the offseason after he was traded.
Although Porzingis’ time with the Knicks went south, he’s since positively reflected on his time in New York. But no, that doesn’t mean that the front office should be interested in reuniting with him.
2: Trading for Kyrie Irving
On Sunday afternoon, the Nets traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick. The fact that Brooklyn was able to turn Irving into that is impressive.
Dallas was desperately in need of a second star to pair alongside Luka Doncic and Mark Cuban swung for the fences by trading for Irving. If you believe that history repeats itself, things aren’t looking good for the Mavericks. Irving has set three teams up in flames, so why wouldn’t he do the same in Dallas? Yes, he’s a terrific basketball player, but his availability and off-court antics are huge red flags.
The Mavericks did the Knicks a favor by getting Irving out of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. Depending on what happens with Brooklyn, who is No. 4 in the conference, New York could sit atop its most hated division rival at the end of the season. Irving’s departure could mean that Kevin Durant will be the next Net to be traded, which would be the cherry on top for Knicks fans.
The only bad thing is that New York’s 2023 first-round pick that is top-10 protected from Dallas (that the Knicks got in the Porzingis trade) could drop with the Mavericks acquiring Irving. Keep an eye on how that plays out.
1: Not paying Jalen Brunson
The Mavericks have struggled without Jalen Brunson this season. Dallas can blame New York all it wants for “tampering” and signing Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract in free agency, but let’s not forget that the Mavericks had the chance to sign Brunson to a four-year, $55 million contract last season.
Now, Dallas has scrambled to fill Brunson’s void with Irving, who is more talented than Brunson but isn’t anywhere near as reliable. The Irving experiment could end up shocking the NBA world, but it’s hard to believe that he’s the missing piece that the Mavericks need. If only Dallas would’ve re-signed Brunson when it had the chance.
Brunson is the point guard that the Knicks have been waiting for. People were clowning New York for “overpaying” him in free agency, but his contract looks more like a steal now. He somehow wasn’t named an All-Star reserve, but both he and Julius Randle have been the team’s two best players this season.
It’s true that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, just ask Dallas. Mavericks fans might be too preoccupied with their excitement about Irving playing for their favorite team, but it won’t be long until they’re back wishing that Brunson would come back, although they’d never admit it.
Pass or Pursue on 4 Knicks trades for contending pieces
In today's edition of Pass or Pursue, we are looking at four trades centered around adding key role players/veterans to the Knicks roster.