Quote:"They've kicked the tires on everybody on their roster that's not named Luka," one person with knowledge of Dallas' thinking said.
Quote:"They've definitely sniffed around on him," an assistant general manager told B/R. "They're taking the temperature, because they know at some point it's gonna come around."
Quote:"It looks like it's impossible for him to get in a stance. He looks like a scarecrow out there," one Western Conference executive said. "You don't expect him to necessarily be great from the jump, but I've watched Porzingis a couple of times this year, and I'm not sure the guy can guard anybody."
Quote:Dallas appears first interested in adding a center to help supplement Porzingis, sources said. The Mavericks have circled Andre Drummond as the Cleveland Cavaliers look to move in a different frontcourt direction of their own, but Dallas has expressed no interest in parting with Porzingis in those particular talks. "They want a big to pair with him," one league source said. "Obviously with physicality, rebounding, toughness."
Quote:The Mavericks have been described as one of the more active teams in these exploratory, early trade discussions around the league....Dallas has continued searching for more shooting and perimeter defense around Doncic as well, sources said.
Quote:Further clouding these Porzingis developments is his close relationship with Doncic. The Mavericks swung on Porzingis hoping he'd create a decadelong pairing with their All-NBA floor general, and the two in turn developed a strong connection off the court. They were frequently spotted together at the pool during the Orlando bubble, and whenever there's been friction pertaining to Doncic's own accountability during film sessions, Porzingis has remained loyal to his co-star. "He almost defends Luka," one person with knowledge of the situation said.
Quote:There's also the matter of what Porzingis would bring back in return. "Who are teams you could in theory see going after him?" the Western Conference executive wondered. "I can't say that's a contract I'd pay to take on."
Quote:"I think maybe you could squeak out a lottery-protected first from somebody," one capologist said, but that would likely only happen if Dallas took back other unwanted salaries. If the Mavericks are searching for contributing players, perhaps Dallas could engage a team like Chicago or Charlotte—with a mix of young players and veterans on sizable contracts—that could be looking to take the same swing Dallas once did.
For now, the Mavericks' Porzingis discussions remain preliminary.
Quote:"I get why the Mavericks might be having buyers' remorse," an Eastern Conference official said.