Kristaps Porzingis Wanted Trade After Playoffs, Now Returning To Mavericks With 'Fresh Start'

[RealGM Wiretap]

Kristaps Porzingis is entering his third full season with the Dallas Mavericks and is hoping for a fresh start under Jason Kidd.

"I'll say this: at the end of last year Porzingis wanted to be traded," said Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective Podcast. "My understanding is he feels like he has a fresh start with the coaching change. He's had the healthy offseason. He's been able to work, not just on his game but on his body some more. That he's coming back with a refreshed feel. 

"At the end of last year, he wasn't going to come out and ask for a trade. He's smart enough to understand the optics."

"He's already done that once," replied Brian Windhorst.

"But at the end of last year when he stood in the corner and checked the wind for an entire playoff series, he was hoping to be traded," added MacMahon. "From what I gather, he's coming back optimistic now."

Via Tim MacMahon/ESPN

[Appleshampoo]

Yeah totally Kristaps. We can take your word for it

[41Dirk41]

Dallas need defense, not positivy or good words.

[njknicks]

In NYK - Kristaps had the opportunity to be the face of the franchise - desired a trade.

In Dallas - he is playing alongside a generational talent in Luka - desires a trade?

[Jellybeans]

What does MacMahon even knows?Hes maybe thinks that.
KP doenst even talk to media let alone to the damn Tim

[Jellybeans]

In NYK - Kristaps had the opportunity to be the face of the franchise - desired a trade.

In Dallas - he is playing alongside a generational talent in Luka - desires a trade?

Its prob about Rick and stuff.
Players didnt like him that much.

[BostonCouchGM]

he has no choice. He has to stand and watch Luka ball hog and hope he can raise his trade value enough where some other team trades for him after they inevitably either don't make the playoffs or get bounced in the first round.

[41Dirk41]

he has no choice. He has to stand and watch Luka ball hog and hope he can raise his trade value enough where some other team trades for him after they inevitably either don't make the playoffs or get bounced in the first round.

Oh sure...he could pass the ball to Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber,Boban Marijanovic and the others scrubs to win the ring

[cheese318]

Dallas need defense, not positivy or good words.

KP was a promising inside presence early in his career. Prior to his injury he was averaging 2.4 blocks per game but since that his athleticism has really taken a hit and honestly luck for that matter to have an injury free offseason. I am not sure if he is just injury plagued or hit his plateau but he has the tools to be a great player. Do not think his defense will ever be where you want it to be but as long as he can protect the paint as a C he can stay on the floor in the playoffs that is key. If he keeps getting hurt and becomes slow footed like DMC that will be him trending backwards and will not result for the success he wants for himself and the team in the playoffs.

[Tamimi]

....yeh, and the Mavericks wanted to trade him too....but there were no takers.

[dougthonus]

It doesn't surprise me that he would want a trade. He's a human and things weren't going well for him.

At the same time, as a fan, you have to just roll your eyes. The dude is massively overpaid, hugely disappointing, and there's no one who will want him. He just never recovered to be as good as he was prior to tearing the ACL let alone improvement upon that which would normally have been expected for a guy with three years. He's probably 50% of what you expected him to be if you're Dallas at this point.

Again, totally fine for KP to want what is best for him, especially if he isn't demanding it through the media or making threats. Just having those feelings is totally fine. I doubt he'll come back and play a lot better because he just doesn't seem capable to hit the heights that were anticipated of him.

[LAKESHOW]

See, the Ben Simmons fiasco can have lessons for everyone. I'm sure after he seen that situation, he wised up

[mg]

He's overpaid and always injured.

[Ballerhogger]

KP I WANTED TO BE TRADED

Teams nah...... think we will just go



KP I WANT FRESH START

[Ballerhogger]

In NYK - Kristaps had the opportunity to be the face of the franchise - desired a trade.

In Dallas - he is playing alongside a generational talent in Luka - desires a trade?

Its prob about Rick and stuff.
Players didnt like him that much.

Rick still got that old school mentality . KP is too fragile

[Jellybeans]

In NYK - Kristaps had the opportunity to be the face of the franchise - desired a trade.

In Dallas - he is playing alongside a generational talent in Luka - desires a trade?

Its prob about Rick and stuff.
Players didnt like him that much.

Rick still got that old school mentality . KP is too fragile

I think Rick kinda soft now.Have no idea when was the last time he was actually mad.KP for sure aint fragile.Rick for sure aint the hardest coach hes had.In europe they are alot tougher for small age.
Again there was reports that Rick was kinda jerk behind the scenes in dresing room.

[MegaK]

He going back to the Knicks bro. He misses the garden bro. Mavs getting some picks and Nerlens Noel on a discount contract bro. Mavs finally getting what they want bro.