FILE PHOTO: Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) and guard Cam Reddish (22) at the American Airlines Center on February 10, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban shot down rumors that big man Kristaps Porzingis is on the trade block.
Responding to multiple reports that Dallas was feeling out possible trade partners, Cuban issued a flat denial to the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday.
“It’s not accurate,” he said. “We have not discussed him in a trade at all. Has not happened.”
Porzingis, 25, is averaging 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in 17 games this season. He was inactive for Monday night’s 102-92 win against the Memphis Grizzlies due to back stiffness.
The Mavericks are 8-9 with Porzingis in the starting lineup and 6-6 without him.
Porzingis missed training camp following meniscus surgery in his right knee in October and has had to play his way into shape this season.
He made the All-Star team with the Knicks in 2017-18 and has career averages of 18.6 points and 7.7 rebounds in 260 games (259 starts) with New York (2015-18) and Dallas.