The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly in deep discussions with the New York Knicks to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Dennis Smith Jr. appears to be the main part of the deal coming from Dallas.
The Dallas Mavericks have been quietly scouring the trade markets over the past few weeks for a player they can pair with Luka Doncic in the future. As news broke this afternoon that Kristaps Porzingis was unhappy and wanted out of New York, it took the Mavs all of about 18 seconds to get on the phone with the Knicks.
Shams Charania of The Athletic was first to report that the Mavs were in deep discussions with the Knicks about Dennis Smith and Porzingis. Marc Stein of the New York Times took it from there.
Here are the tweets that set the NBA world on fire.
New York and Dallas are in deep discussions on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks and Dennis Smith Jr. to the Knicks, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2019
The Dallas Mavericks are nearing a trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 31, 2019
The Mavericks have agreed to take on the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee to faciliate a Porzingis trade and are working to complete the transaction today, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 31, 2019
The Knicks would receive Dennis Smith Jr. and the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews in the proposed trade, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 31, 2019
This is undoubtedly a blockbuster trade for the Dallas Mavericks who will be acquiring arguably a top 20 player in the league. Adding to that, the Mavs will also be getting Trey Burke, Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr., all of which are solid players that can undoubtedly help the team.
Shams recently updated that the deal has been agreed on in principle.
Sources: New York and Dallas have agreed in principle on a trade sending package around Kristaps Porzingis for Dennis Smith Jr. Wes Matthews, other contracts, and picks going to New York, and Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke among players going to Dallas. Sides finishing final terms.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2019
The Dallas Mavericks new starting lineup will likely be Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Harrison Barnes, Kristaps Porzingis (when healthy) and maybe Maxi Kleber. This move is every bit as big as it sounds. The Mavs now have another star to pair with Luka Doncic for at least another year. He will then become a restricted free agent with the Mavs being able to match any offer sheet thereafter.
We will keep you updated as time goes on, but for now, Mavs fans need to get out and celebrate this very exciting news. Dallas will now be ready to compete at an even higher level going forward and will be entertaining for years to come. Contracts and salary information will be more available soon.