Kristaps Porzingis is generally viewed as a versatile big man who can do a good job protecting the rim, while also being someone who can shoot from the perimeter on the offensive end. He has had a solid season for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 19.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 2.0 APG.
The Dallas Mavericks ended up moving Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans prior to the trade deadline, despite his talent. When speaking to Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News, Mark Cuban explained his rationale for the trade, claiming that the team needed to move Kristaps Porzingis to get “two guys who fill roles” that the team needed.
“I think KP’s an incredible talent. But we needed that shooter [Bertans] and we needed another ball handler [Dinwiddie] who could create a shot, and unfortunately that was the only way we were going to get them,,” Cuban said before referencing the Mavs’ 13-8 record without Porzingis this season.
“It was that simple — getting two guys who fill roles that we really needed, and the fact that we have played OK without KP. But I think that doesn’t take anything away from KP being a great talent, and I actually think he’s going to be better with the Wizards than he was with us.”
It is easy to see that the Dallas Mavericks were hoping that Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans could have a similar level of impact together as Kristaps Porzingis. Both of those players have had subpar seasons this year, but perhaps they will do better in a new environment.
It remains to be seen how well the Dallas Mavericks will do going forward. They’re definitely a solid team, but the lack of a co-star next to Luka Doncic could be detrimental. Hopefully, we see them win their first playoff series in the Luka Doncic era this year.
