The NBA got a jolt on Thursday afternoon when Kristaps Porzingis was reportedly traded to the Dallas Mavericks. This came shortly after it was said that he asked for a trade.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN had the particulars of the deal.
New York has agreed with Dallas on trade that includes Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., for Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr. and DeAndre Jordan, league sources tell ESPN. Players and agents are being notified of particulars. Deal may include more draft assets.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2019
The news was absolutely stunning to the NBA world.
I texted a few NBA players about this Kristaps Porzingis trade. Most hadn't heard the news yet and thought it was fake. A lot of rival players are stunned right now.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 31, 2019
Once people got past the shock, the idea of Porzingis playing with Luka Doncic had plenty on Twitter buzzing.
Porzingis and Luka … wow
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) January 31, 2019
LUKA DONCIC AND KRISTAPS PORZINGIS.
I can get behind that.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 31, 2019
Doncic and Porzingis forever. pic.twitter.com/7NtNJsnzfe
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) January 31, 2019
Live look at the city of Dallas after the Porzingis trade. pic.twitter.com/dhWMq5AzeJ
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) January 31, 2019
But far more people on Twitter were ready to absolutely blast the Knicks for trading Porzingis. Many tweets were not suitable for print. Still, plenty were.
If I’m trading Porzingis I need to do better than cap space.
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) January 31, 2019
NYK took Frank Ntilikina 8th overall in the 2017 draft. Dennis Smith Jr. went 9th to DAL. Now Knicks are trading Kristaps Porzingis to Mavs for a package around DSJ?
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) January 31, 2019
Knicks: “We’re trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks.”
Knicks Fans: “Ok? Who are we getting back?”
Knicks: “Dennis Smith Jr.”
Knicks Fans: pic.twitter.com/GVfoMTzOwl
— What the Sports (@realwtsports) January 31, 2019
Like why would you even trade Porzingis to Dallas without seeing what else is out there? There's still a week to go until the trade deadline.
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) January 31, 2019
“Did you seriously trade Kristaps Porzingis for Dennis Smith?”
Knicks GM Scott Perry: pic.twitter.com/rd9ekvmg0E
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) January 31, 2019
And there goes your rebuild with youth. With Kristaps Porzingis traded to Dallas, Knicks are all in on free agency 2019.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) January 31, 2019
Knicks fans hearing about Porzingis trade … pic.twitter.com/0u1FH0Mssx
— J. Martin (@stealth_j_m) January 31, 2019
The idea that #Knicks had to trade @kporzee to clear cap for two max free agents is a joke. Everyone knew this free agent class was loaded years ago, so why did the Knicks dig themselves a cap hole, instead of preparing to sign two max deals, AND KEEP KRISTAPS PORZINGIS???
— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) January 31, 2019
The thought of having to watch Kristaps Porzingis spend the prime of his career alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas is quite possiblly the biggest gut punch imaginable for Knicks fans that have already endured far too many gut punches
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) January 31, 2019
Imagine what the reaction will be if the Knicks strike out in free agency. It just became critical for New York to hit a home run (if not two) this offseason.