Kristaps Porzingis probably won’t take the floor for the Dallas Mavericks until the 2019-2020 season begins but, after a high-profile deal that saw the young big man shipped out of New York, there has been plenty of speculation on his future. On Monday afternoon, however, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (with some help from Porzingis) did his best to quell any notion that the newest member of the organization would be slipping away from Dallas anytime soon.
Mark Cuban butts in when Kristaps Porzingis is asked about signing a long-term deal with Dallas this summer: “I can answer that for you — yeah, he does.”
True? “We’re on the same page,” Porzingis said.
Cuban: “Our goal is to keep him here for the next 20 years.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 4, 2019
Of course, it comes as no surprise that Cuban would be quick to say that he wants to keep Porzingis in Dallas, simply because the Mavericks paid a hefty price to acquire him in trade. It is worth noting that Porzingis will be a restricted free agent on July 1, however, and a bit of buzz exists that he will at least weigh the potential of taking the qualifying offer. Though that doesn’t seem overly likely, Porzingis does have that chip of bargaining power in which to work on a longer deal with his new employer but his assertion that both sides are “on the same page” could speak to a high likelihood of a long-term deal.
The future beyond 2018-19 is certainly at the forefront of any discussion but, in essentially confirming the plan to keep Porzingis out of game action, the 7-footer provided a bit of optimism about his health.
The plan is for Kristaps Porzingis to sit out the rest of the season, but he is encouraged with his progress recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee. “I feel great,” he said. “I feel bouncy and I’m ready to get back on the court.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 4, 2019
It is easy to be seduced by the sky-high potential of a Porzingis pairing with Luka Doncic and the Mavericks are rightfully excited about the future as a result. It will be interesting to see what kind of agreement the two sides can come to from a salary standpoint but, provided that gets done, the focus will turn to Porzingis’ health after missing a full season and just how he’ll look in his new digs.
