Could the Charlotte Hornets make a move for Mavs forward Kristaps Porzingis?
The Dallas Mavericks finished off a playoff collapse on Sunday afternoon by falling to the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven. After winning the first two games in California, Dallas led game three by 19 points in the first quarter, then proceeded to lose that game and four of the final six in the series. A number of things went wrong for the Mavericks in the series with Kristaps Porzingis poor play being front and center for many. In the seven games, Porzingis averaged 13.1 points on 47.2% shooting from the field but just 29.6% shooting from the 3-point line. By the end of the series, he was a virtual non-factor, scoring just 31 points in the final three games combined. After the series, Porzingis camp immediately began their spin with ESPNs Tim McMahon reporting the big mans displeasure:  But Porzingis has been frustrated, often feeling more like an afterthought than a co-star as Doncic dominates the ball and the spotlight, sources told ESPN. Porzingis frequently made thinly veiled references during his postgame media availabilities, such as saying the ball actually moved tonight after high-scoring performances or stating that the offense didnt involve him on low-scoring nights.  There will be big questions about Dallas future as Luka Doncic continues ascending to the NBAs true elites. Needing to maximize the roster around him, the Mavericks head into this offseason needing to answer multiple questions about the pieces around Doncic. The playoffs always exploit weaknesses and Porzingis was a weakness in the playoffs this season, albeit after being a strength in the playoffs last season. In three games last year, Porzingis averaged 23.7 points on 52.5/52.9/87.0 shooting splits. But if the discontent is broiling, Porzingis could be the odd man out and Charlotte could be a team that could take advantage. There are reasons to believe the fit could be a good one. If Porzingis complaint in Dallas is the ball not moving, Charlotte would be a much kinder fit with their offense built on ball movement. Even with a player like LaMelo Ball at the helm for the future, the Hornets offense was far more democratic last season, not surprising considering head coach James Borrego is a disciple of Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. The Hornets have an enormous need at center as well. Porzingis doesnt check all the boxes as an ideal fit in Charlotte, but he checks different sorts of boxes that makes him an intriguing fit. He would space the floor for the Hornets, keeping driving lanes open for Ball, Terry Rozier or Gordon Hayward, among others. Charlotte has become a place for reclamation projects in recent years. Both Rozier and Hayward came from Boston and experienced career resurgences. Porzingis is in need of a restart and could become the latest player to jumpstart their career with the Hornets. The question marks come with his injury history. This season, he played just 43 of 72 games after playing in just 57 of the Mavericks 75 games last season. Acquiring him would also soak up the entirety of the Hornets cap space this season and would more or less lock them into the current roster, save for future trades and draft picks. At his best, Porzingis would be an ideal fit in Charlotte and could be the piece that puts them over the top. The price to acquire him would be interesting. His contract will make him hard to move, dropping his price down. But the Mavericks arent interested in draft picks and future assets but win-now players. Malik Monk and Devonte Graham both as restricted free agents could present interesting sign-and-trade options while Rozier could be a sell-high prospect after the best year of his career. Its an unlikely trade but still could be one that the Hornets consider in an offseason where theyll need to address some of their own questions.