Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says Kristaps Porzingis won't be traded

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/16/21

In February, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report and SNY both suggested that the Dallas Mavericks could look to deal unicorn big man Kristaps Porzingis ahead of the March 25 trade deadline.

While speaking on the "Live with Kelly and Ryan" program on Tuesday, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban did his best to squash such rumors:

Cuban's stance makes sense for multiple reasons. Dallas is currently looking to do more than just participate in the playoffs, as it's hoped the duo of Kristaps Porzingis and possible Most Valuable Player candidate Luka Doncic will play their best basketball on the sport's biggest stage. It's also unlikely the Mavericks would receive equal value in an in-season trade involving the often-injured 25-year-old.

As Brad Botkin wrote for CBS Sports, Porzingis has $95 million guaranteed over the next three years and also a player option worth $36 million for the 2023-24 season. That kind of money coupled with his injury history and defensive deficiencies may make him impossible to move before next week even if Cuban wasn't being completely honest on Tuesday.

Porzingis is averaging 20.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

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