A few hours after reports surfaced of the Mavericks calling the Warriors about a potential trade for Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas owner Mark Cuban denied any trade talks took place.
Cuban shot down a report Tuesday from SNY’s Ian Begley that the Mavericks spoke with the Warriors to “gauge their interest” in the 7-foot-3 Porzingis, who hasn’t yet been the savior Dallas expected when it acquired him two years ago.
“It’s not accurate. We have not discussed him in a trade at all. Has not happened,” Cuban told the Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend.
The 25-year-old Porzingis is one of the league’s most intriguing talents — he’s averaging 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds with a career-best 54.1 effective field goal percentage in 17 games — but his massive contract, nagging injury history and ongoing defensive struggles make him a very unlikely fit with the Warriors or many other postseason hopefuls. Porzingis had off-season knee surgery and, in fact, sat out Monday’s Mavericks game with knee discomfort.
Porzingis is making $29.4 million in the second year of his five-year, $158 million contract, meaning he’s still got $101.5 million coming his way in the next three years. Any armchair GM can see that because of Porzingis’ contract the Warriors would need to trade some combination involving Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr., James Wiseman or Draymond Green to acquire Porzingis.
Even if salaries weren’t an issue, it would be difficult to justify trading any one of those Warriors straight up for the “Latvian Unicorn.”
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If concerns about Porzingis’ contract or health weren’t enough to give the Warriors pause, his inability to play consistent, passable defense would likely be the deal-breaker.
In other words, if the Mavericks actually did reach out to see if the Warriors were interested in dealing for Porzingis, it probably wasn’t a substantive conversation. And, with the March 25 NBA trading deadline less than a month away, this won’t be the last you’ll hear of the curious Warriors rumors.
Source:: The Mercury News – Latest News
Dustin Johnson highlights | Round 3 | Genesis | 2021
In the third round of The Genesis Invitational 2021, Dustin Johnson recorded three birdies against 3 bogeys to remain even through 13 holes before play was suspended due to darkness. Johnson is 7-under-par for the tournament. The PGA TOUR returns to iconic Riviera Country Club for The Genesis Invitational. Tournament host Tiger Woods will be in attendance but won’t play as he is still recovering from a back procedure last month. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and defending champion Adam Scott are among the headliners. Notables in the invitation-only field include major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, and Francesco Molinari, plus world No. 2 Jon Rahm. Two-time FedExCup winner Rory McIlroy looks to finally lift the trophy at Riviera after holding a piece of the lead Sunday a year ago only to fall to T5. In addition to reigning champ Johnson, FedExCup winners in the field include Justin Thomas, Brandt Snedeker, and Jim Furyk. Here you can find everything you need to stay up to date with the world’s foremost golf tour. Check in for highlights from every tournament plus player profiles, swing analysis and all the greatest shots and amazing moments. Teryn Gregson presents the craziest moments from around the world of golf in ‘Good, Bad & Unusual'.