Former All-Star Joins Washington as a Second-Round Draft Pick
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D.C. – In exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans, the Washington Wizards have acquired forward Kristaps Porzingis (KRIS-taps Por-ZING-is) and a protected 2022 second-round pick from the Dallas Mavericks.
“Kristaps is an All-Star player with unique skills that will fit well within our system and allow him to impact the game in various ways for us,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He’ll have a fresh start with our squad and give us the chance to field numerous lineups with size, mobility, and shooting ability.”
Porzingis (7-3, 240) is in his sixth NBA season, averaging 18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 320 games (319 starts) with Dallas (2019-2022) and New York (2019-2022). (2015-2018). Porzingis has averaged 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and a career-high 2.0 assists per game in 34 games (all starts) with Dallas this season, totaling nine double-doubles.
During his 2017-18 season with the Knicks, Porzingis was named an All-Star after averaging a career-high 22.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. In 2015-16, he was named to the All-Rookie team and placed second in the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year voting behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Player of the Week awards have also been bestowed upon the six-year pro.
On two occasions during his career (Eastern Conference POW, 10/30-11/5/17; Western Conference POW, 2/24-3/1/20), he was named Player of the Week.
The Liepaja, Latvia, native is the fastest player in NBA history to reach 500 three-pointers and 500 blocks (247 games), and he is one of only five players in league history to reach 4,000 points, 1,500 rebounds, 400 three-pointers, and 400 blocks before turning 25.
The New York Knicks selected Porzingis with the fourth overall choice in the 2015 NBA Draft. Prior to his NBA career, he spent four seasons in Spain with Sevilla (Liga ACB).
Bertans was in his third season with the Wizards, averaging 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 145 games. On July 6, 2019, he was acquired from San Antonio in a trade.
Spurs and Nets are part of a three-team deal.
Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in 44 games (all starts) for Washington this season. On August 6, 2021, he was acquired by the Wizards in a five-team deal involving Indiana, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and San Antonio.
