The NBA trade deadline was Thursday, February 10 at 2 p.m., and the Dallas Mavericks did not stand pat. News broke approximately a half-hour before the deadline that the Mavericks are sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards. Porzingis was exchanged for guard Spencer Dinwiddie and forward Davis Bertans. Dallas is also sending Washington a second-round draft pick as part of the deal.
The initial reaction has not been favorable for the Mavericks. ESPN gives the Mavericks a “D” grade while the Wizards received an “A-” for the Kristaps Porzingis deal.
Porzingis has been the second-leading scorer for Dallas, averaging 19.2 points per game. However, he has been limited severely by injuries since joining the Mavericks in a trade deadline deal from the New York Knicks during the 2018-19 season. He has not played more than 57 games in a season since suffering an ACL tear in 2018.
Kristaps Porzingis was already ruled out of Dallas’ Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a bone bruise in his right knee. That would have been his sixth consecutive absence and 22nd overall out of 56 games this season.
The oft-injured Porzingis does carry a massive contract. He signed a five-year, $158.3 million max contract with the Mavericks after the 2019 season, just months after Dallas acquired him from the Knicks.
The Mavericks had grown frustrated with the 26-year-old Porzingis’ lack of consistent availability, which has prevented him from living up to his contract. Rumors of him being on the trading block have been circulating over the last two seasons.
Still, many basketball analysts were left confused about why the Mavericks agreed to deal the 2018 All-Star for this return from the Wizards. Both players Dallas is getting in return also have very unfavorable contract situations.
Bertans, in particular, is viewed by NBA analysts as having one of the worst contracts in the NBA. The 29-year-old Bertans has $49 million remaining on his contract, which goes through the 2025 season. Bertans specializes in hitting three-point shots, but he has faltered in that area this season. Bertans is making 31.9% of three-point attempts this season, which is not a significant difference from Porzingis, who is converting on 28.3% of his shots from deep.
Bertans has been dropped from the regular rotation of the Wizards, only appearing sporadically throughout this season. After averaging more than 11 points per game in each of the last two seasons, Bertans only averages 5.7 points in 14.7 minutes per game this year.
Still, Bertans’ career mark from three-point range is solid at 40%, and he is a marksman from the free-throw line, making 93% of his foul shots this season.
However, one clear drop-off in Bertans from Porzingis is in defense and rebounds. Though he is 6’10”, Bertans is not great at protecting the rim nor rebounding the ball, averaging just 1.8 rebounds per game.
Porzingis, at 7’3” on the other hand, averages 7.7 rebounds per game and has become one of the top rim protectors in the NBA this season.
Opponents were making 54% of shot attempts from within five feet of the rim when Porzingis was the primary defender, ranking him the 14th best among all NBA players who have defended at least 150 such shots.
Dinwiddie is a 28-year-old guard who signed a 3-year $54 million deal with the Wizards this past offseason. Dinwiddie has averaged 12.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds through 44 games with Washington. He has made 37.6% of his total shot attempts, including 31% from three. However, he has failed to produce enough to justify his salary and has been in a shooting slump as of late.
At 6’5”, Dinwiddie does add some defensive versatility, as he can defend multiple positions. He also provides insurance for the team since current starting guard Jalen Brunson’s contract is expiring after this season, and is due for a big payday.
Only time will tell who the true winners of this deal will be.
The Mavericks may also not be done adding depth to the backcourt. Point guard Goran Dragic, who the Toronto Raptors traded to the San Antonio Spurs on deadline day, is expected to be released, at which point he can choose his next team. Dragic is expected to consider the Mavericks.
Dallas also doled out an extensive 4-year $55 million extension to starting wing player Dorian Finney-Smith, who was due to hit free agency after this season.