ORLANDO, Fla. _ Their engagement was sudden and unexpected. Shocking, actually, even by NBA standards.
Kristaps Porzingis awoke on Jan. 31 knowing that his four-year marriage to the Knicks was on the rocks. That morning he asked for a divorce and within an hour he was engaged to wed the Mavericks. No courtship. Not even a peck on the cheek.
Even now we can't classify player and franchise as married because the 7-foot-3 Porzingis is rehabbing his left knee. His contract will expire, on June 30, before this union can be consummated by him appearing in a game or, more than likely, even a practice.
But five weeks into the relationship, all indications are that Porzingis and the Mavericks quickly are jelling, if not yet in love, evidenced by The Unicorn's response when The News asked whether he envisions a long future in Dallas.
"Most definitely, yeah," he said. "I love it here so far. I've been extremely happy here."
That isn't an "I do" or an exchange of rings, but no doubt it's a sentiment the Mavericks and their fans have longed to hear.
One way or another, Porzingis almost certainly will be a Maverick next season.
The question is whether he will sign a one-year qualifying offer of $4.5 million. Or sign a restricted-free-agent offer from another team that the Mavericks no doubt would match. Or sign as much as a five-year, $158 million extension with Dallas with a 2019-20 salary of $27.25 million.
Choice No. 3 is the no-brainer, but under NBA collective bargaining rules, Porzingis and the Mavericks cannot discuss contract terms until July 1. That is because No. 4 pick Porzingis and the rest of the 2015 first-round draft class had an Oct. 15, 2018 deadline in which to sign contract extensions.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Myles Turner, Justise Winslow and Larry Nance Jr. signed extensions, but for Porzingis and others who did not, the negotiation window closed until July 1.
"So we'll call 'em on July 1 and show 'em all the love and go from there," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said.
