Kristaps Porzingis
Photo: Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News

As the trade deadline was approaching, reports appeared suggesting that the Dallas Mavericks are looking to trade Kristaps Porzingis. The rumors were denied by the team owner Mark Cuban and the Latvian forward eventually finished the season in Dallas.

One of the reasons for these trade rumors to appear were reported poor relationship between Porzingis and Mavs’ star Luka Doncic. According to sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, KP seems to be jealous of the Slovenian guard and needs to be used via a trade to bring another star next to Doncic.

“The key is is that A) he’s believed to be somebody who can cultivate the right relationship with Luka Doncic, that Luka Doncic is gonna be receptive to receiving to what Jason Kidd brings to him,” Smith said on First Take. “And number two, Jason Kidd is going to be seen as a considerably better recruiter than Rick Carlisle potentially because a lot of people want Kristaps Porzingis gone because Kristaps Porzingis is not see as having the greatest relationship with Luka Doncic.

“A matter of fact, some people have accused him of being jealous. I haven’t spoken to these guys so I don’t know this to be true. I’m telling you what I’m hearing from my sources in Dallas. Porzingis probably needs to go. They probably need to utilize him to get a bona fide secondary option because he seems to be somebody that’s jealous of Luka Doncic and resentful of the cashier he has compared to Porzingis and that partly what’s going on. Mark Cuban and those guys may deny it, they can do that all they want to. I’m not saying they’re wrong. I’m just saying this is the noise that’s circulating out of Dallas.

This past season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Mavericks. He’s been with the team for two years after arriving via a trade from the New York Knicks. KP is under contract until 2024, the final year is a player option.