Dallas Mavericks: Re-grading the Kristaps Porzingis trade after two years

Re-grading the Knicks return from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade

KP was an All-Star in 2018. Yes, the 7’3 Unicorn was coming off a torn ACL, but he was still 23. The Mavericks signed him to a max contract in the summer of 2019. The best is still yet to come from the 25-year-old big man with a unique skill set.

The Knicks also traded three quality rotation players for almost no return thus far. Dennis Smith Jr. has averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steal in his 58 games in New York. He has played a total of three games during the 2020-2021 season and is set to hit free agency this offseason.

Yes, the Knicks have two draft picks coming, but landing even a quality rotation player with a late first-round selection is not easy. New York will be fortunate to snag one role player from the two choices.

My colleague Brad Dressler over at Daily Knicks argued recently that the Knicks won this trade. His case is Kristaps Porzingis’ injuries make him not worthy of a max contract. The Mavericks made the playoff last season and gave the Clippers all they could handle with KP in the lineup in the first round. It was a poorly timed injury, but one that is unlikely to repeat. The Knicks were not even one of the 22 teams invited to the bubble.

Knicks re-grade in the Kristaps Porzingis trade: D-

There is a sliver of hope that New York can get some value from the two draft picks and improve their grade here. If they strike out on both selections, this trade turns from bad to abysmal for the Knicks.

Next: Mavs re-grade