BOSTON – Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, once expected to be Luka Doncic's long-term co-star in Dallas, insisted there is “no ill will” about his tenure with the Mavericks not ending. go as planned. He prepares to face his former team in the NBA Finals.
The Mavs made a blockbuster trade to acquire Porzingis from the New York Knicks in January 2019, midway through Doncic's rookie season, a deal that Dallas will ultimately pay for in full by sending New York the 24th pick in the this year's draft.
Porzingis, who was recovering from a torn ACL when he was traded and was plagued by injuries during his time in Dallas, averaged 20.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in 134 games for the Mavs. Dallas decided the duo wasn't a long-term fit and traded Porzingis to the Washington Wizards at the 2022 deadline.
“It wasn't all bad,” Porzingis said of his time in Dallas, which included a pair of first-round playoff exits. “We had some good moments. We had some decent moments, but overall it didn't work out for both sides. It wasn't perfect. But I would say everything – teammates, locker room – I know at that time there were some rumors that there was something in the locker room. It was never like that. In the end it was all just noise.
“It just wasn't perfect for us to play together, and it didn't work out. And that's it. There's no ill will, I don't think on his part. Of course, [there is not] from my part. I don't think there should be. “It just didn't work out, but I have nothing but love for Dallas and my teammates and everyone there.”
Porzingis, a Knicks All-Star before his injury, acknowledged during his time in Dallas that he found it difficult to initially accept playing a supporting role as Doncic quickly rose to stardom.
“I don't know why it didn't work,” said Doncic, who has downplayed discussion of friction in his relationship with Porzingis over the years. “We were both still young. We tried to make it work, but it just didn't work. So we moved on.”
Porzingis hoped the hiring of Jason Kidd as head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season would provide him with a fresh start in Dallas. However, he battled injuries again that season before being sent to Washington along with a second-round pick for guard Spencer Dinwiddie and forward Davis Bertans, a pair of players whose contracts the Wizards wanted to get rid of. Mavs general manager Nico Harrison cited “depth and flexibility” as his reasoning for the trade at the time.
“As you know, in the basketball business, trades happen,” Kidd said. “They judge us if it works or not. That's just part of the business. In the short period I had him, I really enjoyed KP. Great, great on the court, great off the court. He did everything we asked of him. .
“When you talk about maybe health, he got hurt. As much as any coach or teammate, you want everyone to be there at 100 percent at all times. I thought KP did very well for us. But in the basketball business , there was a pivot. So, from there things changed.”
Porzingis said he will return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday after missing the Celtics' last 10 games due to a calf strain. He will be a key contributor for a defense trying to limit Doncic, who averaged 32.4 points and 8.2 assists per game against the Minnesota Timberwolves' top-ranked defense to win Western Conference Finals MVP.
“He's one of the best players in the league and in the world,” Porzingis said. “It's going to be a tough challenge for us to try to stop him. After his career, when he came into the league, he already had a big impact. Then I had the opportunity to play with him for a couple of years and get to know him and get to know the type of person.” who he is, the type of player he is, his way of thinking… he is a special player. We have a great challenge ahead of us competing against someone like that.”
