2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[SleepingHero]

Two things from that piece:

1) "Washington would have interest in the 7’3″ big man as a potential third star alongside Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal."

2) "There’s a sense around the league that Porzingis is not truly available at this time."

This is the key here. And its very telling given the whole news cycle yesterday about how the Mavs are "gauging" KPs trade value, which is vague in and of itself. 

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/maveri...utType=amp&__twitter_impression=true

In Brad Townsend's latest update on the KP situation he says as follows: 

"The reality is that trading Porzingis any time in the near future, but especially now, would be a monumental mistake — an assessment that was seconded by several key members of the organization I spoke to Tuesday.
I was told that Mavericks president and general manager Donnie Nelson has pat answer for any fellow GMs who even consider engaging Dallas in trade talks.

“Draw a line under Luka Doncic and Porzingis as not available, then another line under several players that would require an over-the-top offer to acquire.”


Which has always been the position of the Mavs FO since acquiring KP. So why all the rumors? Well Brad goes on to say:

"I was emphatically told that the Mavericks have never initiated discussion with any franchise regarding a trade of Porzingis, but that on one occasion a team did inquire about Porzingis.

'The answer was a quick no,' the source said."

Ian Bagley was quick to tweet out yesterday that it was the Mavs that called the Warriors and had a quick chat. But the Warriors were an odd fit to begin with, unless the Mavs fell in love with Wiggins, and its hard to imagine that GSW would part ways with Draymond or Klay given how core they are. 

Now the Wizards come out and say "they are monitoring the KP situation"...? Well if the Mavs emphatically say KP is untouchable, what situation could they be talking about? Mavs aren't shopping him so....

Coming from the original BR story yesterday, there were several quotes from unnamed executives that ripped into KP, and made it seem like the Mavs had buyers remorse. It was interesting that the story specifically mentioned "one western conference executive", and "one eastern conference executive" when quoting. 

Could it be possible that it was actually the GMs for the Warriors and Wizards being quoted for that story?? But why would they tear down KP if they are supposedly interested in trading for him?

Well 1. It creates a divide in the locker room, and it hits KP right where it hurts. Potentially this divide could cause KP to want out and force a trade. Because now not only is KP the clear second fiddle behind Luka (something I feel he doesn't inherently like given his alpha nature), but the team that has said "we want him and Luka here for the next 20 years" are shopping him?? That's a betrayal any way you cut it, and it's hard if you're in KP's shoes to not want a fresh start where you can get out of Luka's shadow right? Well if KP were to force a trade, you get what you want, AND further devalue him. 

It's such a conniving move, but incredibly smart, to anonymously provide quotes for a rumor mill story about a team who's 2nd star is having a rough patch. And then frame it in such a way to make it seem like the Mavs want out of his deal. 

You know what I think? I think the Mavs are not trading KP for anything short of a multi-time all-star thats under contract. Thats the bare minimum they're looking for. And I think that there are several teams that want KP but are trying to devalue him through roundabout methods. 

I could be 1000% wrong, and that the Mavs were actually shopping him. But Mark/Donnie/Rick have never come out so bluntly and said "we're not interested in trading XXX" and then go trade him 3 weeks later. Even when DSJ was having his debacle, the Mavs never came out and said "No were not shopping him". They just said "we love DSJ and love to have him apart of our team". Similar statements, but very different meanings. 

Just my read of the tea leaves. But obviously people love to make big trades so I doubt this is going to stop the KP rumor mill.