Kristaps Porzingis not expected to play for the Dallas Mavericks this season
Saturday 2 February 2019 08:12, UK
Kristaps Porzingis is not expected to play for the Dallas Mavericks this season while he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban revealed the news to ESPN a day after Dallas acquired the 23-year-old from the New York Knicks.
The 23-year-old joined Dallas in a blockbuster trade that sent Dennis Smith Jr, Wesley Matthew Jr, DeAndre Jordan and two future first-round picks to New York.
The Mavericks also acquired Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke in the deal.
Porzingis, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last season, had surgery in February last year and has spent this season on the sidelines.
Dallas believes it can persuade the Latvian to sign a long-term deal, which would allow him to play alongside rookie sensation Luka Doncic.
"We obviously think Porzingis is a great young talent, similar in many ways to Dirk," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said.
"This is kind of a Dirk-and-(Steve) Nash type of situation, only these guys are taller."
Porzingis will be a restricted free agent this summer, after the Knicks declined to offer him a rookie extension last offseason.
He could conceivably become an unrestricted free agent in July of 2020 if he chooses to sign his qualifying offer this summer and decline any extension offers from Dallas.
ESPN reported after the trade Thursday Porzingis is undecided about whether he wants to play for the Mavericks long term.
Porzingis averaged 22.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game before his injury last season. He is scheduled to meet with Dallas media members on Monday.
