Atlanta Hawks: Does the Porzingis Trade Affect the Mavericks 2019 Draft Pick?
By Chris Guest
A quick exploration of how the trade of Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks affects the Atlanta Hawks draft pick from the Mavs in the 2019 NBA Draft.
When the Atlanta Hawks traded the draft rights to Luka Doncic for the rights to Trae Young, Atlanta also received Dallas’s top five-protected 2019 draft pick.
As everyone knows by now, the Mavericks shook the NBA world on Thursday when they traded for the Zinger, Kristaps Porzingis, in what can easily be deemed a salary dump by the New York Knicks. However, in that deal the Knicks also acquired two future first round picks from the Mavericks along with the expiring salaries of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.
So how does this trade affect the Dallas Mavericks pick (that the Atlanta Hawks are likely to own) in the 2019 NBA Draft?
There was much speculation at first, then confirmation of the picks:
After that, people began wondering how this would affect the Atlanta Hawks picks in the 2019 Draft:
I don’t know the technicalities, but I’ve been told that the top-5 protection remains intact on the pick the Mavs owe the Hawks. https://t.co/ocDH5sigt2
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 31, 2019
Finally, ESPN basketball maestro Zach Lowe provided the final word on the picks:
Pick details via league memo: NYK receives next avail DAL 1st-rounder unprotected. Depending on when that happens, NYK then receives either DAL 2023, 2024, or 2025 1st-round pick-- top-10 protected in all three years. If they haven't received 1st by 2025, they get Mavs 2025 2nd.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 1, 2019
In the end, what does that mean for the Hawks? Not much actually. At first it was speculated that Dallas would have to remove the protections this year, which would’ve been an absolute joy for Hawks fans to hear, but it seems as if that is not the case – meaning the Mavs still have a chance to keep their selection this year if it falls in the Top 5.
It also must be noted that Porzingis has been making noise all season that he is willing and able to play, but the Knicks were holding him out in order to both tank and ensure he stays healthy.
If the Zinger returns and plays well for the Mavs, will their draft pick position become less valuable? Maybe.
As of right now, it seems likely that Luka’s exploits should allow the Mavs to stay right around where they have been all season – meaning their odds are fairly slim at keeping their pick.
Next. Could Hawks Facilitate an Anthony Davis Trade?. dark
No matter what happens, there will be plenty more fireworks to come ahead of the February 7 trade deadline, with the Atlanta Hawks likely playing a big role. Stay tuned!