Porzingis tells Knicks fans NY 'deserves better than that'

One source told Stein the team asked "about a hundred times" whether or not he was on the table, and the Mavs weren't as anxious about Porzingis' injuries as other teams might have been.

"Every relationship takes time to build", Porzingis said. He spoke two days shy of the one-year anniversary of tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after a dunk against Milwaukee. "We're going to make the right decision".

Smith had a much more productive night than his other ex-Maverick counterparts that were sent to NY in the megadeal that included Kristaps Porzingis. It's anyone's guess how the Mavericks will play, so it leaves them in limbo.

Unless the Lakers extend a "Godfather offer" complete with young players and a chest of future first-round draft picks, the Pelicans seem intent to wait for the summer. With Doncic watching from the back of the room, Porzingis expressed excitement about forming a long-term partnership with a playmaker he has been friends with since they were both playing professionally in Spain. And, of course, NY created tons of cap room for free agency this upcoming summer.

Clearly, the future is all about Porzingis pairing with Doncic, the 6-7 Slovenian guard who swept the first three rookie of the month awards and is leading the Mavericks in scoring.

Porzingis, who tore his left ACL on February 6, 2018, hasn't played since and won't play for the Mavs until next season. "I'll try to use every moment I have to bother him with some questions and some good stories that he has". For that reason, I think the Mavs will look to make a move.

"I see two guys who are going to put their own signature on their positions", Nelson said.

Porzingis said sitting out this season has always been the plan, and he will remain patient despite saying he feels "bouncy" and is excited to get back on the court as soon as possible.

Kristaps Porzingis sent a parting message to New York Knicks fans after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks this week. "In today's world of social media, things go a zillion miles an hour and we're going to blink and it's going to be media day in September 2019 and we'll be ready to go".