Negotiations can’t begin until July, but the Mavericks are doing everything they can to prepare for a long-term relationship with Kristaps Porzingis, writes Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News.
Porzingis was acquired from the Knicks at the end of January in a surprising trade that altered the future of both franchises. He continues to rehab his left knee after suffering a torn ACL more than a year ago and won’t play, or probably even practice, before the end of the season.
Dallas recently added Manolo Valdivieso, who serves as Porzingis’ personal trainer, to its training staff. Porzingis has been joining the Mavericks on road trips, which Townsend notes he didn’t do with the Knicks, and Valdivieso has come along with him.
“Nobody has any problem of the territory,” Porzingis said of Valdivieso’s relationship with the other trainers. “It’s all open and we’re all working together. That was something that I wanted to have. And I’m happy that the Dallas Mavericks organization and the people who are here are so open and so willing to help us out with anything.”
It’s similar to the arrangement the Mavs have provided for years with Dirk Nowitzki and his personal trainer, Townsend adds.
At Porzingis’ introductory press conference in Dallas, coach Rick Carlisle made a point to introduce not only Valdivieso, but also Janis Porzingis, Kristaps’ brother and agent, who reportedly upset the front office in New York by seeking jobs for some of Porzingis’ inner circle.
Carlisle offered a health update on Porzingis who has been doing shooting, cutting and dribbling drills after each practice. However, he confirmed that the Latvian star won’t take the court this season.
“They had a plan in place,” Carlisle said of Porzingis and his advisers. “And we’re helping facilitate them executing their plan. And I know our trainer, strength coaches and medical [staff] are adding value to it. It’s a win-win as far as I can see.”
Because the Knicks didn’t reach an extension agreement with Porzingis last fall, the Mavericks can’t start negotiations until July 1. As a restricted free agent, Porzingis could accept a one-year qualifying offer of $4.5MM and become unrestricted next summer or seek a deal with another team that Dallas would have the right to match, but the Mavs’ preference is to lock him up to a five-year, $158MM extension that would start at $27.25MM next season.
“I love it here so far,” Porzingis said. “I’ve been extremely happy here.”
Gotta lock em up and he’s gotta “secure the bag” as these youngsters say.
Yeah, a bag full of holes and with a ripped handle.
It’s kind of crazy thinking how much the franchise has riding on his health. If he recovers this team will be a force for years to come. If not, what we’ve seen of this team since the trade means it could be an ugly ride for a few years.
If not, he’s a regular 7-3 center, no problem, except for the cap hit.
They sure are putting a lot of eggs in the health basket for a guy will not have played in a year and a half.
One 25% max contract will not make for an ugly ride for the franchise, particularly with Doncic on his rookie deal for the first 3 years of KP’s deal. He was acquired such at enormous discount, it’s the only the risk in the deal. Dallas gave up only one asset (the unprotected 1st) that even has the potential (and its low) to be missed during the window they’re building for.
Dallas gave up 2 first rounders
The second is top 10 protected, can’t vest until 2023 and converts to a 2nd if it doesn’t vest by 2025. Might not vest. Not a major asset.
KP makes Dallas a much better team, and they got him at a huge discount. He seems happy there and that is half of the battle.
Bag=$158 Million. Hands= KP’s.
this is where knicks won the trade. porzingas is injury prone and def not worth max money. cuban’s a certified dummy