Kristaps Porzingis isn't likely to suit up for his new team this season.
The 7-foot-3 big man was traded to the Mavericks by the Knicks on Tuesday and will use the rest of 2018-19 to recover from the ACL tear he suffered last season, according to an ESPN report.
Kristaps Porzingis probably will not play for the Mavericks this season as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered a year ago, Dallas owner Mark Cuban told ESPN.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 1, 2019
New York parted ways after Porzingis asked the team in a team meeting for a trade. The deal also helped clear cap space. The Knicks hope to land two superstars in 2019-20. The Knicks are 10-40, which is the worst mark in the NBA.
Dallas is thriving under the leadership of rookie star Luka Doncic, but sit outside of the playoff picture at 23-28. Doncic, 19, is averaging 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Porzingis averaged 22.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 2017-18 and was named an All-Star in just his third NBA season.
Future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is on his way out the league, but Doncic and Porzingis could become a formidable European duo for years to come. If they mesh well on the hardwood.
