Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic were the former star partnership for the Dallas Mavericks. The duo failed to achieve much in the postseason during their time together, not winning a single playoff series.
When speaking to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports, Kristaps Porzingis opened up on being teammates with Luka Doncic. He claimed that the partnership was "not what everybody expected", but added that "Luka is a great player", and that he wants Luka Doncic "to achieve what he sets to achieve for himself".
Porzingis said he was in a hyperbaric chamber in Dallas when he received a call from Mavs executive Nico Harrison. Before he picked up the phone, he knew it was probably a trade given it was the day of the deadline. As for his tenure in Dallas, Porzingis expressed disappointment that he and Luka Doncic as a duo didn't win at the level many expected them to.
"Not what everybody expected, not what I expected, but that’s what it is in this league sometimes. Luka is a great player and I wish him well. I wish him to achieve what he sets to achieve for himself," Porzingis said.
Mark Cuban has previously explained that the reason he traded Kristaps Porzingis was due to the fact that Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans fill important roles on the roster.
“It was that simple — getting two guys who fill roles that we really needed, and the fact that we have played OK without KP. But I think that doesn’t take anything away from KP being a great talent, and I actually think he’s going to be better with the Wizards than he was with us."
Hopefully, a new beginning can do wonders for both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis will be joining a Wizards squad that is currently fighting for a play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic will get Spencer Dinwiddie on his roster, who has had a down year but has had good scoring in years past.
Perhaps things will be better for the duo basketball-wise when separated from one another. Kristaps Porzingis is an extremely talented player, and hopefully, he is able to succeed in his new franchise.
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