Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said newly-acquired Kristaps Porzingis intends to sign a long-term deal this summer, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports.
Porzingis will be a restricted free agent in July once the team goes through the formality of extending a qualifying offer. He could receive a maximum five-year, $158MM contract as the Mavs seek to build around the big man and rookie playmaker Luka Doncic.
When asked about Cuban’s comment, Porzingis responded, “We’re on the same page.”
Porzingis could take his chances by signing the $4.5MM qualifying offer and entering unrestricted free agency the following summer. Cuban shrugged off that scenario.
“It’s not a concern I have,” Cuban told MacMahon. “Everything so far, all the conversations so far, have been very positive. Unless it’s something that we don’t expect pops up, hopefully he’ll be a Maverick for the next 20 years.”
Porzingis, who was often at odds with New York’s front office, is energized by the prospect of playing with Doncic.
“I get excited every time I think about it,” Porzingis said. “I really think we can be something special.”
Dallas acquired Porzingis along with shooting guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee and point guard Trey Burke for point guard Dennis Smith Jr., center DeAndre Jordan, guard Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks.
Cuban indicated last week that he didn’t expect Porzingis, who tore the ACL in his left knee last winter, to play this season. Porzingis confirmed that during his introductory press conference on Monday, saying he expected to sit this season.
“There’s no rush,” he said. “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.”
Lmao the smart move for kp is to take 1 year deal and come back slowly and see how fit is. If it doesnt work he can go elsewhere im sure just about every team would want him.
What if he gets injured again? HUGE risk to not sign the big money deal.
ACL’s for basketball players are scary, they don’t always come back as good. Smart would be taking the 158 and get yourself right for the next contract. He’ll still be in his twenties.
Then why has no player in his position (who’s been offered the max after 4 years of a rookie scale contract) EVER turned it down?
You would think at least 1 player (over all these years) would have made the smart move.
I’m sure nerlens noel thought the same thing
Less money less years huge risk. Let me guess you want him on your team
I think all the fans, and the nba, will be happy if KP stays with the Mavs
Glad to see basketball is relevant in Dallas again. While major markets in Chicago, New York continue to flounder, it’s nice to see the NBA relevant in places like Big D, Milwaukee and Denver.
Dallas has over 10+ years of 50+ win BB. Don’t lump us in that group
I hope the Mavs keep him long term. The kid touted as the next Dirk getting to share a locker room with Dirk should help him improve his game. He’d be smart to take the extension over the QO though with how injury prone he’s been so far in his career
Dallas is within the 4th or 5th largest market in the U.S. Don’t know if that qualifies it as a major market or not, but yea it’s no New York or Chicago.
two take-always: unicorns don’t get hurt and marc cuban’s a certified dummy
Please expand on why you think Mark Cuban is a dummy I’m very interested
Just jealous that Cuban is a genius while he is just a pimpled dense kid in his mama’s basement!