Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 20 best players available

By Brendon Kleen

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 14: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks react to a play during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 14: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks react to a play during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

10. Kristaps Porzingis, F, Dallas Mavericks, Restricted

Let’s quickly rehash the out-of-nowhere trade that allowed Dallas to land Porzingis back in February, before the Knicks’ bad luck on lottery night, before Kevin Durant’s injury, and before legal trouble created a cloud of smoke around Porzingis:

  • Dallas acquired Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke
  • Knicks acquired Dennis Smith Jr., De’Andre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and protected first-round picks in 2021 and 2023

It was seen by many at the time to be a no-brainer victory for Dallas, finding a second star to pair with Luka Doncic to help the Mavericks compete for championships for years to come. Trading two first-round picks on top of the one Dallas is giving up in this year’s draft will hurt, though, as the Mavericks look to build out the roster around their two international superstars. After Porzingis failed to come back during the season from a full tear of the ACL in his left knee, the injury risk of acquiring the original Unicorn appears even greater.

Close observers will also note we’ve heard very little chatter about Porzingis playing out the 2019-20 season on the qualifying offer in order to become an unrestricted free agent in recent months. Certainly, the lengthy recovery process and legal battles including sexual assault allegations and a viral video of a late-night brawl would make it difficult for Porzingis to bet on himself when a near-max offer will be on the table from the Mavericks this summer.

Don’t be surprised, however, if a team like the Hawks, with cap space to burn, plays the antagonist in this story by giving Porzingis a max offer sheet to force Dallas’ hand.

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