The Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards just pulled off the most jaw-dropping deal of the deadline.
According to multiple reports, big man Kristaps Porzingis is heading to the Wizards in exchange for guard Spencer Dinwiddie and sharpshooting forward Davis Bertans.
Source: Mavs are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 10, 2022
The Mavericks are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards for a packaged centered on Spencer Dinwiddie, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
I think it’s safe to say no one saw this coming. While the Mavs never seemed sold on Porzingis, he didn’t seem to find himself in many trade rumors over the past few weeks. Likewise, while rumors did swirl about the Wizards’ interest in dealing Diniwiddie due to his underwhelming season and fit with Bradley Beal, it was hard to believe they would find a suitor for his three-year, $54 million contract signed this offseason. I’m also left shocked the Mavs wanted to take Davis Bertans’ five-year, $80 million deal off the table.
To be sure, you have to swap a bad contract to take on two, and Porzingis checks that box. He is owed roughly $101.4 million over the next three seasons, and he has continuously struggled to stay on the floor due to varying injuries.
With all of that in mind, it’s just surprising to take a swing on the other players, but they were obviously both looking to mix things up in a substantial way. And I find that especially surprising for a Mavs team that already sits 5th in the Western Conference.
The last interesting note on this: Dallas has long been speculated as the frontrunner for Goran Dragic, who was traded to the Spurs this afternoon and expected to reach a buyout. However, the addition of Dinwiddie at the point guard position seems to make that less likely, which makes the earlier connection between the Bulls and Dragic by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski all the more interesting.
Thaddeus Young is Heading to the Raptors for Goran Dragic, Who Could Become a Buyout Candidate for Bullshttps://t.co/NpBwe4EeeG pic.twitter.com/pvugv0dI1m
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 10, 2022