Was it a homecoming for Kristaps Porzingis? After seven long years, he walked into the American Airlines Center again. But this time, he wasn’t wearing Dallas Mavericks blue. He was the enemy now—a Boston Celtics star. His time in Dallas back in the day? A mix of highs and lows. But through it all, one thing stayed the same—his love for his old teammate, Luka Doncic.

When he finally stepped back on the court, he did it in style—in more ways than one. But beneath the triumph, there was a note of caution. The Boston Celtics, fresh off their championship run, had taken down the Mavericks in just five games last season. And KP hadn’t forgotten. Porzingis, the towering 7-4 “Unicorn,” returned to the AAC with a champion’s glow. But it wasn’t just about last season’s title with the Celtics. It was something more.

Porzingis had his moments as a Maverick (2019-22), but things never quite clicked with Luka Doncic the way everyone hoped. Injuries and load management didn’t help, limiting him to just 134 games in three seasons. Now, from afar, he watches the Mavericks battle injury after injury—most recently Maxi Kleber’s foot fracture. “Honestly, they haven’t had the best luck this year, especially Luka being out for such a long time,” he said with concern. “It’s tough without him. It’s completely different without him, obviously. I wish them good health and I wish them to have their roster at full strength and I wish them continued success from last season.” 

Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis could hardly believe it himself. Nearly three years after Dallas traded him to Washington, he finally played at the AAC again. Injuries kept him away—first with the Wizards, then with the Celtics. Even in last year’s Finals, a tendon injury stopped him from suiting up in Dallas. But on Saturday, he was back and the crowd greeted him with a mix of boos and cheers. “It’s weird, but… Yeah, I only had one chance, I think. I only had one chance in… Oh, no, last year in the playoffs,” KP shared his experience.

He further added: “It was good,” he said after dropping 18 points in Boston’s 122-107 win. “Always a nice atmosphere here. I have some good memories from here. And I have good, great relationships here with many people. I miss a lot of these nice people, so it’s always good to come back.” It looks like the 7’4″ star has walked past the betrayal he faced from the Mavs front office 3 years ago. The then-n26-year-old Porzingis signed a $158 million, five-year contract with the Mavericks before ever playing for them. But it was probably the injuries that turned him into a burden for Mark Cuban and Co.

Thus, revisiting his old arena might have been a mild (or hard) bite, as the blast from the past emerged in the form of cheers and boos for KP.

Kristaps Porzingis’s move to the Washington Wizards in 2022 was a risky move the Mavs took

In 2019, the Dallas Mavericks made a blockbuster trade that landed them Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks. The franchise viewed it as a positive and promising deal, aiming to solidify themselves around their young gun, Luka Doncic. Since the 2019 trade, Porzingis suited up for just 134 of 202 games—about 66 percent. But when he was healthy, he delivered. Twenty points a night, solid rebounds, and a return to his shot-blocking best, anchoring Dallas’ sixth-ranked defense.

Porzingis’ health was always a question mark. Even when Dallas traded him to Washington, a knee bruise sidelined him. This season alone, he missed 22 of 55 games, with injuries and COVID-19 disrupting his rhythm. The trade for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans raised eyebrows, but Dallas needed a change. With Kristaps Porzingis’ injury history as long as a CVS receipt and his $31 million salary this season—plus $33.8 million next year and a $36 million player option in 2023-24—the Mavericks chose availability over potential.

Then majority owner Mark Cuban knew the system mattered most. “Sometimes it’s the system that matters, and in order for the system to work, you’ve got to have people that fit different roles within a system,” he said. Porzingis was great in certain roles, but with Tim Hardaway Jr. out with injury, Dallas needed more. “We were able to do two for one in that respect.”

Kristaps Porzingis’ journey from Maverick to Celtic is a story of highs, lows, and what-ifs. Injuries and missed opportunities kept him from truly flourishing during his time in Dallas. Now, as he walks the court as an enemy, his ties to the city and Luka Doncic (despite their not-so-cozy teammate era) remain strong. The Mavericks moved on, seeking stability over potential, but Porzingis’ return is a reminder of what might have been—and what still could be. In the end, it’s not just about the titles or the trades; it’s about finding the right fit, even if it takes a little time.