League sources say Mavericks quietly assess business value of Kristaps Porzingis | Launderer report

The Dallas Mavericks have decided to strengthen their defense around Luka Doncic and their historic scoring offense this offseason.

Yet the Mavericks sit here, ninth in the Western Conference, 27th overall in defense overall, and Kristaps Porzingis’ steady decline at that end of the floor seems to be the biggest dilemma this front office now faces.

In fact, Dallas has quietly assessed Porzingis’ trading market, according to league sources, as the Mavericks have started to reassess whether the 25-year-old center can truly back Doncic as a second option on a candidate. “They kicked the tires on everyone on their list that isn’t called Luka,” said a person with knowledge of Dallas thinking. “You know [president of basketball operations] Donnie [Nelson]; they are still tinkering. “

“They definitely sniffed it,” an assistant general manager told B / R. “They’re taking the temperature, because they know that at some point it’s going to come back.”

Porzingis was touted as the ideal Doncic candidate just six months ago when he won second-team All-Bubble honors after averaging 30.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. shooting 38.1% from a distance. He was then nothing less than a force in the first round against the Clippers, that is, until a torn meniscus put an end to his season, and surgery in October l ‘then ruled out until January 13.

His shot remained effective as he is connected on 35.2% of his triples, just around his career average. He is 14th among the PER centers, but the numbers paint a dire defensive picture, especially after Dallas’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night as Porzingis sat with tension in his lower back. Mavs have a minus-4.7 clean note when he’s on the floor.

In those 509 minutes, Dallas allowed 119.5 points per 100 possessions, a score that would leave the Mavericks nearly two full points worse than the 30th-place Sacramento Kings. When he was off the field, the Dallas defense had climbed to a tight-fisted 108.7 in 840 minutes coming in on Monday, good for a league top five. And despite all the legitimate criticism that Doncic has already drawn, the defense of the Mavericks holds enemies to 111.0 points per 100 possessions when Doncic is on the pitch and Porzingis is excluded.

The ship can straighten as Porzingis regains strength in his right knee. It was not until December 29 that he fully participated in a practice for the first time. But the early comebacks were unsettling, especially as Dallas was designed to rely on his 7’3 “giant stalking the back line. He was much more of a spectator than an executioner at the edge, and he also has a growing history of injuries.

“It seems like it’s impossible for him to take a stand. He looks like a scarecrow out there,” a Western Conference official said. “You don’t expect him to be necessarily great at jumping, but I’ve watched Porzingis a few times this year, and I’m not sure the guy can keep anyone.”

For now, Dallas seems initially interested in adding a center to help complete Porzingis, sources say. The Mavericks have surrounded Andre Drummond as the Cleveland Cavaliers look to move in a different direction from their own front, but Dallas has expressed no interest in parting ways with Porzingis in those particular talks. “They want a big twin with him,” a league source said. “Obviously with the physicality, the bounce, the harshness.”

The Mavericks have been described as one of the more active teams in these early exploratory trade talks around the league. After acquiring Josh Richardson in the offseason and drafting Josh Green and Tyler Bey (via the Philadelphia 76ers), Dallas also continued to seek more shooting and perimeter defense around Doncic, sources said.

It’s important to remember that injuries and COVID-19 protocols delayed the Mavericks. Maxi Kleber and Richardson each missed a handful of games. But the latter converted just 29.6 percent of his gazes ahead of Monday’s 3-7 performance, and the offense from the Dallas juggernaut, who posted the most effective offense in NBA history this season. last, now only ranks 26th in a three-point percentage.

His close relationship with Doncic makes these developments of Porzingis even more obscure. The Mavericks turned to Porzingis hoping he would create a decadelong couple with their All-NBA ground general, and the two in turn developed a strong connection off the field. They were often spotted together at the pool during the Orlando bubble, and whenever there was friction over Doncic’s own responsibility during the movie showings, Porzingis has stuck with his co-star. “He almost defends Luka,” said one person familiar with the situation.

There is also the question of what Porzingis would bring back in return. “What are the teams that you could theoretically see fighting against him?” the Western Conference executive wondered. “I can’t say this is a contract I would pay.”

After this season, there are three more left on Porzingis’ five-year, $ 158 million deal.

“I think you could maybe squeal somebody’s protected lottery first,” said a capologist, but that would probably only happen if Dallas took up other unwanted wages. If the Mavericks are looking for contributing players, maybe Dallas could sign a team like Chicago or Charlotte – with a mix of young players and veterans on major contracts – that could be looking to take the same swing Dallas once did.

For now, talks about Porzingis for the Mavericks remain preliminary. But for Dallas to close that gap – between where it currently stands and the team’s expectations ahead of the season of competing for an edge on the field in the playoffs – league executives expect those early conversations to happen. continue. Finding a second bona fide option for Doncic is key to optimizing the young superstar, and Dallas can still free up maximum space in the next offseason. If John Collins were to reach a restricted free agency, expect the Mavericks to make a meaningful offer, according to league sources.

Dallas once hoped to use this coin for Giannis Antetokounmpo, forming a triumvirate that would have thrilled the Western Conference. Porzingis now needs a tight turnaround to reclaim some of his previous reputation. “I understand why the Mavericks might have buyers remorse,” said an Eastern Conference official.

* All stats via NBA.com unless otherwise noted.

Jake Fischer covers the NBA for Bleacher Report and is the author of Built to Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever.