Perry said the Knicks were aware of Porzingis’ displeasure with the direction of the franchise in recent weeks. That was despite the fact both parties seemed to be on the same page after New York elected not to extend Porzingis’ rookie contract, Mills said. The team president cited Porzingis’ time spent at the team facility as one sign of his disconnect from the franchise. New York began to speak to teams about different trade scenarios involving Porzingis in recent days.
More on Kristaps Porzingis Trade?
At the time of their trade of Porzingis, the Knicks had several offers for the 23-year-old big man, league sources told ESPN.
Dirk Nowitzki said Thursday night that he thinks the Dallas Mavericks might have added a franchise-type of player to their roster in Kristaps Porzingis and created a combination of young stars that could be fun to watch for a "long, long time."
"We feel like we did the right thing," Mills said in a conference call Thursday night. "When you try to think about how you want to build your team for the long term, you don't want to commit a max [contract] to a player who clearly says to you he doesn't want to be here. That would be a disservice for our organization and disservice to our fans."
To what extent Dolan, the chairman of Madison Square Garden, played a role in trading Porzingis is unclear, but be sure that he was involved on some level. In January, Dolan, who also owns the NHL’s Rangers, told two hockey reporters in Las Vegas that “the real big difference between the Knicks and Rangers is (goaltender) Henrik (Lundqvist). If the Knicks had a Henrik, they’d probably be competing for a playoff spot. No Henrik, no playoff spot.” Dolan either purposely or unknowingly forgot that the Knicks have an All-Star who is currently recovering from major knee surgery. Porzingis, according to a source, was annoyed by the public slight.
As the Knicks descended to the worst team in the NBA this season, Porzingis expressed dismay recently to teammates Courtney Lee, Enes Kanter and others, according to a source. Porzingis, who hasn’t played in almost a year because of ACL surgery, is “essentially cleared to play,” a source told the Daily News, but was concerned about how the Knicks would handle his potential return during their tank job.
Barbara Barker: Steve Mills: "Overtime, it became clear to us that Kristaps was not on board with a plan we had laid out." Adds that it became clear that at meeting today he didn't want to be a Knick.
Tim Bontemps: Steve Mills says "I think you should ask KP," when asked why Kristaps Porzingis wasn't on board with the Knicks' plan moving forward.
Ben Golliver: Knicks' Steve Mills on Kristaps Porzingis: "You don't want to commit a max contract to a player who doesn't want to be here. That would be a disservice to our fans."
Tim Bontemps: Steve Mills: "What we did was create $68 million in salary cap room. We are going to be prudent in what we do with that room."
Adrian Wojnarowski: Dallas created a $12.9M trade exception as part of the deal with New York, league source tells ESPN.
Zach Lowe: Pick details via league memo: NYK receives next avail DAL 1st-rounder unprotected. Depending on when that happens, NYK then receives either DAL 2023, 2024, or 2025 1st-round pick-- top-10 protected in all three years. If they haven't received 1st by 2025, they get Mavs 2025 2nd.
The Knicks did call New Orleans about Anthony Davis, a source told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but the Pelicans weren't interested in the Latvian. There was uncertainty over Porzingis' willingness to remain in New Orleans beyond his current contract, sources said.
Some in the Knicks front office were enamored with Smith Jr. ahead of the 2017 NBA draft, sources said. The Knicks instead selected Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick. Ntilikina's name has come up in recent trade discussions, including informal talks between New York and Dallas about the possibility of moving Porzingis, sources told ESPN. New York will continue to try to trade disgruntled center Enes Kanter ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline, sources told ESPN.
Ian Begley: If the first-round pick Dallas traded to Atlanta isn’t conveyed in the 2019 Draft (it’s top five protected), the first-round picks the Knicks get from Dallas in today’s trade will be pushed back one season since teams can’t trade first-round picks in consecutive seasons.
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources with @Ian Begley: Dallas is sending New York a 2021 unprotected first-round pick and a 2023 protected first-round pick (1-10) in the deal.
Derek Bodner: One piece of feedback I'm consistently getting from executives around the league is it was not common knowledge prior to today that Porzingis was on the block. Multiple teams who had inquired about his availability in previous weeks were told he was untouchable, I'm told.
“As is standard for this time of year, we were exploring various options on potential trades,” said Scott Perry, General Manager, New York Knicks. “Considering the uncertainty regarding Kristaps’ free agent status and his request today to be traded, we made a trade that we are confident improves the franchise. We thank Kristaps, Tim, Courtney and Trey for their contributions and wish them all the best.”
Michael Scotto: The two first-round picks the New York Knicks will receive from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade will be in 2021 and 2023, The Athletic has learned. Both picks are protected.
Shams Charania: Sources: Dallas' draft compensation to New York in Kristaps Porzingis deal: Two future first-round picks.
Tim MacMahon: Mavs agreed to a trade with plan to sign Kristaps Porzingis to a long-term deal this summer and are confident they can with Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki selling him. “He loves Luka and Dirk,” a source said.
James Edwards III: Rick Carlisle said everyone that was involved in the deal was on the plane last night from New York. Added that the team didn’t get situated in Detroit until 3 a.m.
Tim Cato: Salah Mejri and Ryan Broekhoff are both on the floor warming up for the Mavericks tonight, which indicates Dallas won't be waiving either to complete this trade. 15th man Ray Spalding is the obvious candidate.
Shams Charania: Porzingis is incredibly fond of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic -- and the Mavericks have confidence they will be able to keep Porzingis, league sources said. Knicks/Mavericks talks started picking up steam Wednesday night.
Ian Begley: Worth noting: Kristaps Porzingis is familiar with Luka Doncic from his workouts in Madrid over the summer. Porzingis spent time in the city while rehabbing his ACL at the Real Madrid facility.
Ian Begley: The discussions between Dallas and the Knicks on the Kristaps Porzingis trade began a few days ago, per sources. The Knicks, clearly, were aware of the uncertainty surrounding Porzingis.
Evan Turner: That was a good trade for both the Knicks and mavs
Kevin Knox: 😧😧
Joel Embiid: Lololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololo Lololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololo
CJ McCollum: Prob a good time to turn on notifications and leave do not disturb mode 🤣
Myles Turner: 🦄 to the metroplex! I’m here for it!
Jordan Crawford: That’s all you got for Porzingis??? Hold up man 🤦🏾♂️ lol
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kristaps Porzingis, who can become a restricted free agent this summer, has yet to make a decision on his future with Dallas, league sources tell ESPN. He expects to start the process of getting to know the organization soon. Porzingis will continue to rehab his ACL injury.
The Knicks get a point guard of the future in Smith, who had a triple-double at the Garden on Wednesday night, and should now have enough cap space for two maximum free agents — with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving squarely on their radar. A source said general manager Scott Perry and Mavs chief Donnie Nelson were behind closed doors at the Garden discussing scenarios when the Mavericks faced the Knicks on Wednesday night.
Hardaway and Lee have contracts that don’t expire until 2020. The Knicks shopped Lee since the summer and Hardaway since the recent downturn in his play. According to a source, Porzingis has harbored these feelings for a couple of years, leading to his missed exit meeting after the 2016-17 season, but the Knicks’ allowing reports about Porzingis possibly being available in a trade didn’t sit well with the Porzingis camp.
A source said Janis Porzingis was anxious about the Anthony Davis rumors this week while the Knicks fell to the NBA’s bottom at 10-40. Porzingis is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, and the Knicks could have matched any offer.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Knicks and Mavericks have scheduled a trade call with the league office to finalize Porzingis deal, sources tell @ramonashelburne.
Enes Kanter: 🙄🤷♂️
Alex Kennedy: I texted a few NBA players about this Kristaps Porzingis trade. Most hadn't heard the news yet and thought it was fake. A lot of rival players are stunned right now.
Shams Charania: Sources: Full players involved in Knicks/Mavericks deal: Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, Trey Burke to Dallas. Dennis Smith Jr., Wes Matthews, DeAndre Jordan and likely first-round draft pick compensation to New York.
The Knicks, by including the contracts of Hardaway and Lee, will clear the requisite salary-cap space this summer to pursue two maximum contract free agents, while Dallas will be able to pair Porzingis — who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in July — with its star rookie Luka Doncic.
Alex Kennedy: Text from an Eastern Conference star: "I had just read that [Kristaps Porzingis] asked for a trade and then 2 minutes later, he's traded. This is crazy! Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis! That's going to be a fun duo to watch!"
Adrian Wojnarowski: New York has agreed with Dallas on trade that includes Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., for Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr. and DeAndre Jordan, league sources tell ESPN. Players and agents are being notified of particulars. Deal may include more draft assets.
Shams Charania: Sources: New York and Dallas have agreed in principle on a trade sending package around Kristaps Porzingis for Dennis Smith Jr. Wes Matthews, other contracts, and picks going to New York, and Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke among players going to Dallas. Sides finishing final terms.
Tim MacMahon: Sources confirm @TheSteinLine report: Mavs closing in on deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis along with Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. Package to Knicks includes Dennis Smith Jr. and expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.
Mike Fisher: #Mavs first overture to trade for #Knicks #Porzingis - Sources told DBcom summer of 2017. And they've kinda been trying every since.
Vincent Goodwill: The Knicks-Mavericks deal involving Kristaps Porzingis is close to being finalized, sources tell @YahooSports
The Dallas Mavericks are nearing a trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks, according to league sources
New York and Dallas are in deep discussions on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks and Dennis Smith Jr. to the Knicks, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
The Mavericks have agreed to take on the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee to faciliate a Porzingis trade and are working to complete the transaction today, league sources say
New York is finalizing a deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, league sources tell ESPN.
The Knicks would receive Dennis Smith Jr. and the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews in the proposed trade, according to league sources
A deal between the teams appears imminent, league sources tell @nytsports
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kristaps Porzingis left the Knicks with the impression that he prefers to be traded, league sources tell @Ramona Shelburne and me. Knicks are expected to commence discussions on moving him ahead of next Thursday's deadline.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors are among many teams expected to pursue Kristaps Porzingis in a trade, league sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors are among many teams expected to pursue Kristaps Porzingis in a trade, league sources tell ESPN. Zach Lowe: Keep an extra eye on San Antonio.
New York Knicks president Steve Mills believes that the organization has repaired its relationship with young star Kristaps Porzingis and that the club will be well-positioned to attract top free agents in the summer of 2019.
Mills was asked by Smith if he had any concern that Porzingis, who is eligible for a five-year extension worth more than $150 million this summer, would seek a trade from the Knicks as other stars such as Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving have done in recent seasons. "No," Mills said. "We've worked really hard in rebuilding the relationship with KP. For Scott and me, it's been with his brother (Janis Porzingis). We had to make Janis, who is his agent and his brother, make him feel like he was part of our group and let him understand what we're doing as a team. Where we're taking this thing.”
The good news for the Knicks is that Spurs coach/president Gregg Popovich likes Knicks young point guard Frank Ntilikina a lot. The bad news for the Knicks is, Popovich also loves Kristaps Porzingis — whose inclusion is probably the only way a Kawhi Leonard deal gets done. According to sources, Knicks brass was interested in pursuing Spurs forward Leonard as a free agent in 2019. But now it looks like Leonard could hit the trade market after a series of reports stated he wants out of San Antonio.
One plausible option is to trade Leonard, which should be of interest to the Knicks. Any deal for Leonard would have to include Kristaps Porzingis, whom the Spurs are said to be head over heels with, as well as a first-round pick. It’s a steep price, but the addition of Leonard plus available cap space in the summer of 2019 could dramatically alter the course of history for the star-crossed franchise.
Kristaps Porzingis said he wasn’t too concerned about his future on Draft Night despite the fact that former Knicks president Phil Jackson was listening to trade offers for him. “I was asleep,” Porzingis said after practice Tuesday.
Kristaps Porzingis: "I tried to not really listen to it. I tried to not focus on it. That can only disturb your work at that moment. I was just trying to focus on the work. That's something that's not in my hands at that point anymore. I can't affect it."
When the Cavaliers talked to the Knicks about Kyrie Irving, Cleveland brass had no interest in discussing Carmelo Anthony. Kristaps Porzingis was their lone focus.
The Knicks don’t appear interested in trading Kristaps Porzingis, including a possible deal for Cavaliers All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, according to a league source. ESPN reported on Tuesday that the Cavaliers may be preparing for a future without LeBron James and have Porzingis as a “primary” target in trade scenarios for Irving. The Cavaliers appear focused on getting back a young star in return for Irving, the report said.
“[Knicks president] Steve Mills and [Knicks general manager] Scott Perry on the record were very clear that Kristaps was part of the future,’’ the source said in reference to comments made last month by both executives. “In all the discussions since then — there were other rumors before that Cleveland would want Kristaps — and it didn’t seem that [the Knicks] were interested at all in a conversation.’’
Porzingis has emerged as a primary Cleveland target, but that's a conversation that can occur only with Cleveland's willingness to unburden the Knicks of the three years and $55 million left on Joakim Noah's contract. For now, the conversation is a nonstarter for the Knicks, league sources said.
There continues to be distance between Porzingis and the organization, and how the Knicks truly value Porzingis' future could become clearer once they're together to begin the season.
According to Vecsey, however, Jackson was legitimately interested in dealing Porzingis: People knew, they probably wouldn’t have accepted, but Phil was angling to try and trade Porzingis for the No. 1 pick to Boston and he would have taken [Lonzo] Ball. That’s who he was after. In the end, people might really like that.”
This is significant, because the best offer the Knicks can make in a trade for Irving is a package centered around Anthony. As was reported on Saturday, New York is not interested at this point in including Kristaps Porzingis in any trade for Irving. Some in the Knicks organization would trade Anthony and multiple first-round picks for Irving (though there is not uniform agreement on the idea of dealing multiple first-round picks in any trade at the moment, according to people familiar with the Knicks' thinking).
Last weekend at a basketball camp in Latvia attended by about 250 children, one youngster asked Porzingis in his native tongue why he wouldn’t abandon New York, and Porzingis sounded as if he’s committed for the long haul. According to an English translation obtained by The Post, Porzingis answered: “I feel that it is the best place to win. And if you win in New York, you are king. For the last two years, I have had so many positive emotions here that this is where I want to stay and that this is where I want to win.”
Several members of the organization were in favor of moving Porzingis before the draft, per sources. Jackson's public discussion of his decision to talk to teams about trading Porzingis did not sit well with owner James Dolan, according to sources.
New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek doesn't believe the franchise will trade young star Kristaps Porzingis. Ex-team president Phil Jackson had discussed the possibility of trading Porzingis with several teams prior to the draft, but no deal materialized. "I think it was out there that Phil was listening but he wasn't out shopping KP. We love KP and what he does so I don't see him going anywhere," Hornacek said on Sunday afternoon following the Knicks' Summer League game.
Frank Ntilikina joins a long list of people who is relieved that the Knicks didn’t trade Kristaps Porzingis on draft night. Ntilikina believes he can flourish with Porzingis. “We’re both European,” Ntilikina said. “We both have a good IQ and playing pick-and-roll with him will be great. I just know that I will play great with him.”
League sources said Knicks president Phil Jackson’s trade requests to at least two teams were beyond extreme and that they may have just been a ploy to motivate Porzingis, the 7-foot-3 Latvian who seemed to anger Jackson by skipping an end-of-season exit interview.
On the corner of 33rd and 7th, a large digital billboard with the words “Don’t Trade Porzingis” loomed directly over Madison Square Garden Thursday night. “We are not affiliated with Porzingis. We just want him to stay,” the message concludes in smaller letters. The ad is branded with the logo of Cycle, a culture website.
Chris Forsberg: Danny Ainge on trade rumors around the Celtics, including Porzingis chatter: "A little blown out of proportion. I'll leave it at that."
Jackson declined to discuss the Porzingis trade talks, instead choosing to focus on Ntilikina. "This isn't the time to talk about that. This is the time to talk about our draft pick," he said.
The Phoenix Suns remain in active pursuit of Kristaps Porzingis, league sources tell ESPN. Phoenix, like other teams who have contacted the Knicks, have mostly come away with the impression that it will take a monumental package to land Porzingis.
Frank Isola: There is talk of Boston trying to make a deal with Minnesota to acquire the No. 7 pick. That could be part of a bigger Porzingis trade.
One NBA executive said he could see a blockbuster deal between the Celtics and Knicks. His proposed trade: Porzingis to the Celtics for Boston's No. 3 pick, a future No. 1 pick and a player, perhaps Jaylen Brown. Can you imagine a Celtics' frontline of Porzingis, Al Horford and perhaps Gordon Hayward? One word: wow.
