Entering Game 6 of the first round of the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks were up 3-2 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, the Mavericks couldn’t get the job done, resulting in them being eliminated in seven games. A big part of why the team couldn’t get the job done is that Kristaps Porzingis was invisible for most of the series.
The 7-foot-3 center finished the series averaging 13.1 points/5.4 rebounds/1.3 assists, which is disappointing when you take into account that he’s supposed to be Dallas’ No. 2 option. However, since the elimination, reports have come out Porzingis is “frustrated” with how ball-dominant Luka Doncic was in the past series. If this is indeed the case, there’s the potential that Porzingis just played his last game as a Dallas Maverick.
BetOnline has released an odds list that looks at potential destinations in the event that Kristaps Porzingis does get traded this offseason. At +200 odds, the Boston Celtics are the leading destination. After being eliminated in five games by the Brooklyn Nets, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Celtics target a third star to play alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It might be tough to get a deal done financially, but bringing Porzingis in would help Boston stretch the floor. Besides, he’s only 25 years old, so he’s young enough to grow alongside Tatum and Brown.
The main issue surrounding a potential Mavericks-Celtics deal is that Kristaps Porzingis still wouldn’t be the No. 1 option on the team. In fact, he’d likely be No. 3 behind Tatum and Brown. Nevertheless, if he’s okay with it and thinks that a change in scenery could help, Porzingis could help the Celtics rise back up the Eastern Conference standings.
Kristaps Porzingis Odds: Potential Trade Destinations
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, June 8
- Boston Celtics (+200)
- Golden State Warriors (+225)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+300)
- Orlando Magic (+400)
- Washington Wizards (+500)
- Chicago Bulls (+600)
Could the Warriors Trade for Porzingis?
Even without Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors finished the 2020-21 campaign with a 39-33 record, just missing out on the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament. However, with Thompson coming back next season, it’d be wise for the Warriors to add another star to play with him and Stephen Curry. Considering how they have +225 odds to land Kristaps Porzingis, he could be the guy.
Anyone who’s familiar with the Warriors knows that they love to shoot the ball. Fortunately for them, Porzingis is one of the best shooting centres in the league, averaging 37.6% from 3-point range last season. He could even run power forward if Golden State wants to put James Wiseman at center. The Warriors would also have to move some contracts to make it work, but it’s definitely a trade worth considering.
Kristaps Porzingis: Thunder Have 3rd-Best Odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder round out the top-3 for potential Kristaps Porzingis trade destinations at +300 odds. While other teams may have to worry about freeing up cap space to acquire the former All-Star, that’s not the case for the Thunder. Al Horford is their biggest contract next season at $27 million, but everyone else that’s signed will be making $5.5 million or less. That means that the Thunder could easily fit in Porzingis’ contract. It also works for the Mavericks because it means that they wouldn’t have to take a lot of money back, being they could use it elsewhere to find a true No. 2 player for Doncic.
The Thunder have a young team and Porzingis would help them stay that way. Considering how Horford just turned 35 years old, Oklahoma City needs to find its center of the future sooner than later. Fortunately, they may have a clear path to that now that Porzingis is potentially on the trade market.
