Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers no longer have to worry about Kristaps Porzingis in division

By Dan Parzych

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 26: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks reacts after a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 26: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks reacts after a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Philadelphia 76ers may not be seeing Kristaps Porzingis as much in the future since the New York Knicks are finalizing a deal to send the forward to the Dallas Mavericks.

No matter what, the Philadelphia 76ers will always receive some sort of criticism for their decision to go with Jahlil Okafor at No. 3 back during the 2015 NBA Draft instead of Kristaps Porzingis, although there was no way of telling how things would pan out at the time.

For the Sixers, Okafor was supposed to be one of the missing pieces to make the whole “Trust The Process” mentality worth it in the long run, but unfortunately those dreams were quickly crushed after watching how much the former Duke star struggled to make an impact.

As for Porzingis, the star power forward wasted little time making an impact during his rookie campaign, and seemed to have a bright future in the NBA, which so far has exactly been the case.

10 teams that could trade for Nick Foles in 2019. light. Related Story

Unfortunately, Porzingis is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the middle of last season, and while his timetable to return is still up in the air, at least one thing is certain.

In what was arguably a surprise move by the Knicks after looking at all of the potential surrounding the star forward, it appears Porzingis is heading to the Dallas Mavericks, as the two teams are reportedly finalizing a deal.

Since New York has been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA over the last couple of years, a fresh start for Porzingis on a team like Dallas seems like a good option for both parties.

As for what this means for the Sixers, well at least Porzingis will no longer be a threat in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference, even if the Knicks weren’t really part of that category in the first place.

Still, once Porzingis returned to his normal ways as one of the top forwards in the NBA, New York at least seemed like they would become a threat in the Eastern Conference at some point for Philadelphia.

Even if the Sixers will still face Porzingis down the road as a member of the Mavericks, these future meetings won’t be the same or as meaningful since it will have little impact on the Atlantic Division.

Next. 7-round mock draft for Eagles post Senior Bowl. dark

Only time will tell when it comes to seeing whether the Knicks regret this decision on Porzingis, but at least for the Sixers, this move isn’t going to stop them from continuing to be a top team to beat in the conference.