The New York Knicks have traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks, parting with the young All-Star forward as he recovers from a torn knee ligament suffered after a dunk against Milwaukee on February 6, 2018.
The 7-foot-3 Latvian was the No. 4 draft pick in the 2015 draft and was expected to be the Knicks' franchise player for years. But they declined to give him a contract extension last summer, and the 23-year-old requested a trade early on Thursday.
The Knicks acquired Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks, while also sending guards Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke and Courtney Lee to Dallas.
New York (10-40) has the worst record in the NBA and is headed towards landing a high pick in the draft. The Knicks will then be set up to spend big - perhaps for two top players - in a free agent market that could include Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and more.
Porzingis has 3-point range on offence and shot-blocking skills on defence, which could form an intriguing frontcourt in Dallas with rookie Luka Doncic. Both played professionally in Spain before coming to the NBA as top-five picks.
