Report: Knicks moved Porzingis before teams could make offers
If it seemed the blockbuster trade between the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks evolved from rumor to reality very quickly, that's because it probably did.
While the Knicks had multiple offers on the table for 2018 All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, some teams were unable to make a proposal before the Knicks' front office pulled the trigger, league sources told ESPN's Ian Begley.
Team president Steve Mills confirmed the first half of that report in an interview during Sunday's game against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, saying the team had "about eight potential scenarios" centered on Porzingis:
Knicks President Steve Mills gives insight on the team's decision to trade Kristaps Porzingis. pic.twitter.com/9tdFxzsSFO
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 3, 2019
"(Porzingis and his brother) made it clear to us, it was a meeting that they requested, and they made it clear to us that he did not want to play for the Knicks, that he was not going to re-sign with us as a free agent," Mills said. "We, in one way, thanked him for the clarity, because it gave us the information we needed to know."
Based on Mills' comments, it would appear the Knicks were set on moving Porzingis before the Feb. 7 trade deadline rather than test the waters in the offseason.