Mark Cuban on expectations for Kristaps Porzingis: ‘To f—ing crush it’

Mark Cuban has high expectations for Kristaps Porzingis.

The Mavericks acquired the 23-year-old forward, along with three other players, from the Knicks in February in exchange for a package centered around Dennis Smith Jr. as well as the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.

Cuban discussed Porzingis — who is recovering from ACL surgery and is not expected to play this season — when he met with reporters Thursday.

“(We expect him) to f—ing crush it (next season), Cuban said, via ESPN. “We’re looking for The Unicorn to unicii. I don’t know if that’s a word, but that’s what we expect.”

Porzingis said at the time of the trade he “felt great” but the team planned to take its time with the injury.

“There’s no rush,” Porzingis said in February. “I’ve been patient this whole time and I’m going to keep staying patient, which is one of the hardest things for me to do. We’re going to make the right decisions.”

Porzingis has averaged 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds over 186 career appearances. He has shot 43.7 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range.