INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 16: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards talks to referee Brandon Adair #67 during the third quarter in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 16, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The NBA trade deadline was full of crazy moves this season. Ben Simmons finally got dealt, James Harden joined forces with Daryl Morey (again), Tyrese Haliburton got shipped off, and the Sacramento Kings got Domantas Sabonis.
But one of the more surprising moves of the deadline was made by the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards. Kristaps Porzingis was sent to play in the nation’s capital.
In return, the Mavs got Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans, while also sending Washington a second-round pick. Many were confused by the move, but in reality, this could be a great decision by the Wizards.
Porzingis may struggle with injuries, but he could be the perfect player for the Wizards to take a chance on. Why does this fit make so much sense for Washington both now and for the future?
The future of Kristaps Porzingis with the Washington Wizards: Desperation
Let’s be completely honest here, the Washington Wizards traded for Kristaps Porzingis as a last-ditch effort to keep Bradley Beal from leaving this offseason.
By adding someone who has the talent to be an All-Star, they are hoping to convince Beal to stick around. Plus, they didn’t have to give up much, if anything, to get him there.
But that’s a good thing for Porzingis, too. The fact that they went out to get him in an attempt to put a great team around Beal not only means they want him to succeed but that they are invested in him.
Having a team that fully believes in you and wants you to be the best version of yourself is huge in the NBA. That’s not to say that the Mavs didn’t believe in him, but their main focus was Luka Doncic.
Washington Wizards. Kristaps Porzingis was sent to play in the nation’s capital.</p>
<p>In return, the Mavs got Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans, while also sending Washington a second-round pick. Many were confused by the move, but in reality, this could be a great decision by the Wizards.</p>
<p>Porzingis may struggle with injuries, but he could be the perfect player for the Wizards to take a chance on. Why does this fit make so much sense for Washington both now and for the future?</p>
<h2>The future of Kristaps Porzingis with the Washington Wizards: Desperation</h2>
<p>Let’s be completely honest here, the Washington Wizards traded for Kristaps Porzingis as a last-ditch effort to keep Bradley Beal from leaving this offseason.</p>
<p>By adding someone who has the talent to be an All-Star, they are hoping to convince Beal to stick around. Plus, they didn’t have to give up much, if anything, to get him there.</p>
<p>But that’s a good thing for Porzingis, too. The fact that they went out to get him in an attempt to put a great team around Beal not only means they want him to succeed but that they are invested in him.</p>
<p>Having a team that fully believes in you and wants you to be the best version of yourself is huge in the NBA. That’s not to say that the Mavs didn’t believe in him, but their main focus was Luka Doncic.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/kristaps-porzingis-washington-wizards/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Quality pieces </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 11: Kyle Kuzma #33 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Washington Wizards defend against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 11, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The future of Kristaps Porzingis with the Washington Wizards: Quality pieces</h2>
<p>One of the biggest factors in the success of a player is the pieces they have around them. Kristaps Porzingis had solid players around him in Dallas, but that team was assembled for one reason and one reason only – to accentuate Luka Doncic.</p>
<p>And while the Wizards may not necessarily prioritize Porzingis, they’ve managed to put together a solid team of role players. They have a bunch of guys that can do their job well.</p>
<p>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a great two-way wing, Kyle Kuzma gives them a little bit of everything, Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija have shown flashes of potential, Corey Kispert has a promising future on both ends. They just have a bunch of solid guys.</p>
<p>Plus, Porzingis will likely transition into being a full-time center, which could end up being the perfect thing for him, whether he likes it or not.</p>
<p>When he was at his best, Porzingis was blocking shots, protecting the paint, and spacing the floor for the New York Knicks. Well, whilst playing the five, he can do exactly that in Washington.</p>
<p>Once Bradley Beal returns, Washington can roll out a lineup of Beal, Pope, Avddija, Kuzma, and Porzingis. It’s an all-around, quality lineup, that will allow Porzingis to get back to doing what he does best.</p>
<p>Again, Porzingis always wanted to be a main focal point in Dallas, but the Mavs were too focused on Doncic. In this lineup, he’ll once again have that opportunity, and maybe, just maybe, he’ll make the most of it.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/kristaps-porzingis-washington-wizards/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fresh start </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 16: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards watches his team during the third quarter in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 16, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The future of Kristaps Porzingis with the Washington Wizards: Fresh start</h2>
<p>During his time with the New York Knicks, Kristaps Porzingis was thought to be the next big thing in the Big Apple. He was a one-time All-Star and looked prime to continue on that path.</p>
<p>But then the injuries kicked in. Porzingis struggled to stay on the court, and not too long after his sole All-Star selection, the big man was sent to Dallas.</p>
<p>It was there where things began to go downhill a bit. Porzingis has been fine with the Mavs, but he just hasn’t been able to get back to his former self.</p>
<p>That being said, it might just be about being put in the right situation. There’s no doubt that the Mavericks have a ton of talent, but maybe it just wasn’t the best fit for Poirzingis.</p>
<p>Dallas has Luka Doncic. For as long as he’s on that team, he’s going to constantly have the ball in his hands. And while Porzingis’ usage rate was still high, it just wasn’t the same.</p>
<p>Heading to Washington will give Porzingis the chance to be the main guy again, especially while Bradley Beal is out with an injury. And as mentioned, sometimes all it takes is a new situation to help a guy thrive.</p>
<p>Just look around the league at some second-city success stories. Victor Oladipo with Indiana, Chauncey Billups with Detroit, James Harden with Houston. All of these guys got better when put in a new situation.</p>
<p>Now, this isn’t to say that Porzingis is going to turn into an All-NBA talent, but there’s no reason he can’t get back to playing at an All-Star level. Only time will tell, but a new, fresh start with undoubtedly be good for the Latvian big man.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Grading the Porzingis-Dinwiddie trade" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/11/nba-trade-grades-kristaps-porzingis-spencer-dinwiddie/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/17/kristaps-porzingis-washington-wizards/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/11/nba-trade-grades-kristaps-porzingis-spencer-dinwiddie/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Grading the Porzingis-Dinwiddie trade </a> </div>
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