Mavericks going all-in with $158 million Kristaps Porzingis deal

Kristaps Porzingis should cash in before his comeback begins.

Coming up on 17 months since Porzingis most recently appeared in an NBA game, Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks are planning to meet with their new big man when free agency opens on June 30, and offer him a max contract of $158 million over five years, according to The Athletic. As a restricted free agent, Porzingis is free to sign with any team, but the Mavericks have the ability to match any offer, and retain him.

Though Porzingis will only turn 24 in August, the former Knicks star hasn’t played in a game since tearing his ACL in February 2018. In his injury-shortened third season with the Knicks, Porzingis averaged 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, while shooting over 39 percent on 3-pointers.

The 7-foot-3 forward has been working out with the Mavericks since being traded to Dallas in January, and coach Rick Carlisle said last week that he expects Porzingis to be ready when training camp begins in the fall.

Whether the Knicks will find a star to fill one of their two max contract slots remains unclear.

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