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

The Dallas Mavericks are off to a slow start to the 2020-2021 season. Kristaps Porzingis missed the first nine games recovering from offseason meniscus surgery. Injuries and COVID issues have kept the Mavs projecting starting five from playing one minute on the court together through the team’s first 17 games.

Fans have not seen the best version of KP yet this season. He was playing out of his mind during the bubble before injuring his knee in the playoffs. Porzingis is still rounding into shape, but he should return to his All-Star form soon.

Jan. 31 marks the second anniversary of the Mavs acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks. Let us take a look back at the deal and re-grade it with what we know now.

Dallas Mavericks acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks: The trade

The blockbuster came out of nowhere. KP was rehabbing from a torn ACL. One minute it was reported that he requested a trade, and the next he was off to Dallas. Here is a look back at the deal.

The Knicks traded their disgruntled star for a recent lottery pick, two first-round draft choices, and cap space. They planned to sign a marquee name in free agency in the summer of 2019.

Dallas acquired their second star and three rotation players in the deal. Most believed New York could have received more in return for KP, and the Mavericks had the edge on the day it was made. Acquiring an All-Star under the age of 25 does not happen often, and it is never cheap.

Have things changed in the last two years? Did the Dallas Mavericks win the deal with the Knicks? Let us examine the deal further with what we know now.

Next: What changed?

What has changed in the two years since Dallas Mavericks acquired Kristaps Porzingis?

The Mavs had not made the playoffs since 2016 when they acquired Kristaps Porzingis, but it was clear they had found their star player. Luka Doncic was only halfway through his rookie season, but the teenager was consistently putting up historic numbers. KP gave the Mavericks a second star to build the team around, and Dallas broke their playoff drought in his first season with the team.

The Knicks waived Wesley Matthews a week after the trade. DeAndre Jordan walked in free agency after the season, and Dennis Smith Jr. has been out of the rotation for the majority of his time in New York. They have the Mavericks first-round picks unprotected in 2021 and top-ten protected in 2023, but both selections figure to fall in the teens at best.

New York failed to add a superstar in free agency in 2019. They opted for short-term deals with lesser players and finished with 21 wins last season.

It has not just been Kristaps Porzingis that produced for the Mavericks. All four players they acquired had moments in Dallas. Tim Hardaway Jr. was their third-leading scorer last season and has been outstanding with the Mavs.

Let us take a look at how the trade grades out after two years.

Next: Knicks re-grade

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

Re-grading the Kristaps Porzingis trade for the Dallas Mavericks

The fit between Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic was never going to be ideal. Luka needed the ball in his hands more, and DSJ did not have the jump shot to play off him. The Mavericks traded him, two first-round picks, and two expiring contracts for the perfect complement to Luka and three rotation pieces.

Fans have seen it costs more than two first-round picks acquire a star player. Dallas got one under 24 years old to form one of the best young duos in the NBA. Tim Hardaway Jr. has played his best basketball with the Mavericks. Trey Burke is back in part because of his first stint with the team following the trade. Courtney Lee had productive moments in Dallas too.

Re-grade for the Dallas Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade: A

The grade has the chance to go up to an A-plus if Luka and KP lead the Mavs to a championship in the years ahead. Dallas won this trade. Trading two first-round picks for a young star is always a wise move. Yes, KP has dealt with injuries, but nobody wants to face the Mavericks with their two stars healthy.

Expect a deep playoff run from the Dallas Mavericks in 2021 as the New York Knicks return to the lottery. Mark Cuban and his organization would make this trade 100 times out of 100. Stay tuned to see what the Knicks can do with the Mavs picks, and how far Dallas can climb with Luka and KP.