DALLAS, TX – MARCH 16: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 16, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Shortly after free agency opened, Kristaps Porzingis agreed to a five-year deal to stay with the Dallas Mavericks.
When the Dallas Mavericks made the trade with the New York Knicks earlier in the year to acquire coveted forward, Kristaps Porzingis, all signs pointed to him re-signing with the Mavericks once free agency hit. It was confirmed when Shams Charania of The Athletic, reported that Porzingis had agreed to a five-year maximum contract with the Mavericks worth $158 million.
Although Porzingis was acquired in a deal back in January from the New York Knicks, he never appeared in a single game as he continued to recover from a torn ACL suffered back in the 2017-18 season. However, it was obvious that the Mavericks had bigger plans for Porzingis when they brought him to Dallas.
Now that Porzingis seems as if he will be ready by next season to play, he will play a huge role in what should be an exciting Mavericks team. Pairing him with the extremely talented Luka Doncic should do wonders for the Mavericks as they try to climb their way up in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Though Porzingis is only 23, he has suffered from multiple injuries causing him to miss nearly half of the possible games he could have appeared in. However, right before he tore his ACL, Porzingis was having a career season, averaging 22.7 points and 6.6 rebounds. If Porzingis can return to what he used to be before he suffered his injury, the Mavericks could be an extremely dangerous team next season. This contract might be a little of a risk, but with Porzingis’ high ceiling, the risk is well worth it.