Dallas Mavericks: 5 things they can learn from Kristaps Porzingis trade

The Dallas Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porzingis in January 2019. It was a bold move. Luka Doncic was well on his way to winning Rookie of the Year, and the Mavs quickly figured out they needed to put the ball in his hands. Dallas traded up to get him, but nobody thought Luka would become a superstar so quickly. They wanted to add a second star and start building around Doncic immediately.

The Mavericks were 23-27 when they made the deal. They were a long shot to make the playoffs, but Dallas saw an opportunity and seized it. Porzingis was rehabbing from a torn ACL and slated to miss the entire 2018-2019 season. He was an All-Star the year prior. Acquiring a 23-year-old with those credentials rarely happens in the NBA, but KP requested a trade. The Knicks quickly shipped him to Dallas.

The deal cost the Mavericks Dennis Smith Jr., Wesley Matthews, DeAndre Jordan, and two first-round picks. They got Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, and Courtney Lee in return. All four former Knicks had key moments with the Mavs following the trade. The deal has not worked out as planned, so what can Dallas learn and use going forward?

5 things the Dallas Mavericks can learn from the Kristaps Porzingis trade

Some fans want to label the trade as a disaster, but that is far from the case. The deal allowed the Mavs to jump back in the playoffs the last two years. Tim Hardaway Jr. has taken a step forward in Dallas. Kristaps Porzingis averaged over 20 points per game for two straight seasons. The Mavericks would not have forced the Clippers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs without those two.

KP has not been the second star that the Dallas Mavericks thought they were acquiring. Here are five things they have learned from the 2019 trade with the Knicks.

Next: No. 5

Thing Dallas Mavericks can learn from Kristaps Porzingis trade: 5. Risks don’t always pay off

The Mavs took a risk in acquiring Porzingis. He was still recovering from ACL surgery. There were no guarantees that he would return to his All-Star form. The Mavericks also took on three contracts the Knicks did not want on their books. It was a gamble that Dallas could turn them into three rotation pieces.

The risk was larger because owner Mark Cuban and the front office knew they would have to give KP a max contract before he ever played a game for the Mavericks. They were locking in for five and half seasons with a player that would not play in an NBA game in nearly 20 months.

KP was injured in the playoffs in 2020 and struggled to protect the rim and move laterally following meniscus surgery this season. It has been a disappointing two years that has everyone wondering what to expect from Porzingis moving forward.

The Dallas Mavericks took a risk in acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, and it has not worked out. They knew that was a possibility coming in. The Mavs could have tried to add an injury protection into KP’s contract or signed him to a shorter deal, but they did not. Now, they have to find a way to maximize their roster with the Unicorn’s contract weighing their books down.

Next: No. 4

Thing Dallas Mavericks can learn from Kristaps Porzingis trade: 4. Acquire veterans

Putting the Kristaps Porzingis piece aside, the Mavs acquired three veterans in the deal. Courtney Lee started 11 games over the next season and a half. He played a key role in the locker room and was a needed veteran presence. Trading for Trey Burke opened the door for signing him before the bubble, where he played arguably the best basketball of his NBA career.

The key addition was Tim Hardaway Jr. The Knicks signed him to a four-year $71 million deal in 2017, which most viewed as an overpay. THJ was averaging over 19 points per game before the trade but was doing it on poor efficiency.

The Mavericks turned him into a catch-and-shoot weapon. It improved his efficiency and has allowed Hardaway Jr. to be a 39-plus percent 3-point shooter for two straight years. Experts expected him to get a four-year $80 million deal this summer in free agency because he took his game to another level in Dallas.

The Mavs acquired three veterans in the Kristaps Porzingis deal, and each has made an impact during their time in Dallas. They need to round out the roster with veterans and continue acquiring them at the deadline. It improves their depth and gives the Dallas Mavericks more options in the playoffs when matchups become crucial.

Next: No. 3

Thing Dallas Mavericks can learn from Kristaps Porzingis trade: 3. Protecting picks can hurt

The Mavericks traded two first-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in the Luka Doncic deal. The Stepien Rule prevents NBA teams from shipping out their first-round pick two years in a row. Dallas owed their 2019 first-rounder to Atlanta, meaning the two they sent to New York had to start in 2021.

The Mavericks decided to trade the Knicks an unprotected first in 2021, but put a top ten protection on their 2023 selection. The reasoning made sense. Dallas had missed the playoffs two straight years and were well on their way to a third. There were no guarantees Porzingis would stay healthy or Doncic would become a superstar. The Mavs could still miss the playoffs in 2023.

The protection has hamstrung them in making future moves. It prevents Dallas from trading their 2025 pick because they may owe 2024 instead of 2023. The Mavericks would love to be able to deal their 2025 and 2027 picks this summer as they look to improve their roster. To do so, they will have to get the Knicks to agree to remove the protection, which will likely cost Dallas a second-round pick, at minimum.

The Dallas Mavericks must be careful protecting draft picks going forward because it limits their ability to make moves.

Next: No. 2

Thing Dallas Mavericks can learn from Kristaps Porzingis trade: 2. Don’t need to jump at first chance

Luka Doncic was arguably the Mavs’ best player the minute he showed up in Dallas. The teenager had just won EuroLeague and Liga ACB MVP as he led Real Madrid to titles in both competitions. It became apparent quickly that Doncic needed to be the Mavericks’ lead ball-handler and that they had something special on their hands.

The front office jumped at the first chance to acquire a young star to pair with Luka. Kristaps Porzingis was an All-Star in 2018. He was “The Unicorn”, a 7’3 big man that can space the floor and protect the rim. The Mavericks only saw the positives and jumped at the opportunity.

In the two and half years since Dallas acquired Kristaps Porzingis, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Jrue Holiday, and so many other talented players have switched teams. The Mavericks would rather have all of those players than Kristaps Porzingis right now. Yes, KP is younger than every single one, but Dallas would be better with a true second star.

The Dallas Mavericks need to be more patient and wait for the right fit to come along. Trading for Kristaps Porzingis happened fast and came out of nowhere. Next time, they should wait to see if they can acquire a bona fide superstar.

Next: No. 1

Thing Dallas Mavericks can learn from Kristaps Porzingis trade: 1. Injury history matters

The Mavs should have learned this lesson before trading for Kristaps Porzingis. They signed Wesley Matthews fresh off Achilles surgery in 2015, and he never recreated his Portland numbers. Dallas has one of the best medical and performance evaluation staffs in the league, but some players just cannot stay healthy.

Kristaps Porzingis played 72 games during his rookie season. He suited up for 66 in year two. In the last four seasons, KP has topped 50 games one time. This is the first year the Unicorn ended the season healthy, but knee injuries limited him to 50 of the Mavericks’ 79 games, including the postseason. After six years in the NBA, it is a safe bet to assume Porzingis is going to miss significant time every season.

The Dallas Mavericks must buy lower or avoid trading for players with lengthy injury histories going forward. Luka Doncic’s prime years are too valuable to waste. Having a second star or key role player missing time in the playoffs could be the thing that holds the Mavs back. Injuries happen, but Dallas must do their best to avoid them. That includes not acquiring talent that has racked up several in recent years.

The Dallas Mavericks can learn a lot from the Kristaps Porzingis trade. How will they use the lessons this offseason? Stay tuned to find out.