Knicks unload Porzingis, Hardaway, Lee and Burke to Dallas to clear cap space for two max free agents

By ADAM ZAGORIA

By agreeing to deal Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke to the Dallas Mavericks the rebuilding Knicks will now have room for two max-free agents in the summer of 2019.

The Knicks will take back Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews, plus two future first-round picks, according to the team. The picks will come in 2021 and ’23, Michael Scotto of The Athletic reported. The ’21 pick is unprotected and the ’23 pick is protected.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the trade news. Any of those new players would need to be waived by March 1 to become playoff eligible.

The Knicks can now dream of adding Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency, and potentially Duke’s Zion Williamson in the NBA Draft, during the summer of 2019. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported the Knicks now could have $74.6 million in cap space this summer, enough for two max free agents.

“As is standard for this time of year, we were exploring various options on potential trades,” Knicks GM Scott Perry said in a statement.  “Considering the uncertainty regarding Kristaps’ free agent status and his request today to be traded, we made a trade that we are confident improves the franchise.  We thank Kristaps, Tim, Courtney and Trey for their contributions and wish them all the best.”

New York has agreed with Dallas on trade that includes Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., for Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr. and DeAndre Jordan, league sources tell ESPN. Players and agents are being notified of particulars. Deal may include more draft assets.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2019

The Knicks could be staring at $74.6M in projected cap space for next season. That would be good enough for 2 max slots.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 31, 2019

It remains unclear if Porzingis, the No. 4 pick in 2015, will sign an extension with Dallas. He becomes a restricted free agent this summer and hasn’t played in about  a year after tearing his ACL.

Kristaps Porzingis, who can become a restricted free agent this summer, has yet to make a decision on his future with Dallas, league sources tell ESPN. He expects to start the process of getting to know the organization soon. Porzingis will continue to rehab his ACL injury.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2019

New York will always have a special place in my heart.
Grateful for everybody who made this journey so special for my family and I. pic.twitter.com/q923ul3Wk4

— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) February 1, 2019

The Knicks pitch this summer will now involve trying to get not one, but two big-time stars like Durant and Irving to want to come to New York to try to build a winner.

Irving is a Montclair, N.J., native who previously told Celtics fans he planned to re-sign in Boston. He maintains close ties in the area, including funding his alma mater, The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J., and recently launching the inaugural Kyrie Irving Invitational at Barclays Center.

Irving and the Celtics visit the Knicks Friday night.

The Knicks will try to woo two of these max free agents this summer. Pretty big gamble that they can get two of them. pic.twitter.com/BfBaLGiLHW

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 1, 2019

Durant will be the biggest prize this summer. He is playing on a two-year, $61.5 million contract and is expected to opt out.

“Everyone says Knicks,” one prominent NBA player agent told Frank Isola of The Athletic.

Still, the Warriors are the only team that can offer Durant a five-year max contract, so he can make up to $30 million more by remaining with the Warriors than he could by coming to New York or anywhere else.

“I just want to make sure I get as much money as I can on my next deal,” Durant told Chris Haynes.

As for Smith Jr., the Knicks famously skipped him in the 2017 NBA Draft and picked Frank Ntilikina instead.

During the Adidas trial in September, former Adidas consultant TJ Gassnola testifed he paid $40,000 in cash to then-N.C. State assistant coach Orlando Early with the understanding the money would go to Smith Jr.’s family so that he would remain at N.C. State.

The Knicks will still maintain their young assets in Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo Trier.

At 10-40, the Knicks own the NBA’s worst record and currently have a 14 percent chance at the No. 1 pick, widely expected to be Duke’s Williamson.

Photo: AP

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