Kristaps Porzingis earned the nickname “The Unicorn” by displaying an uncanny repertoire at 7-foot-3. The shooting marksmanship and 3-point range. The post-up game and fadeaway jumpers. The footwork and handle. By his third NBA season, Porzingis had emerged as an All-Star with the New York Knicks and was able to operate in any part of the floor he desired, before a torn ACL in February 2018 and a trade to the Dallas Mavericks a year later.



While agreeing to re-sign with the Mavericks on a five-year, $158 million maximum contract in July, Porzingis also committed himself to a new program. Maybe call it “The Unicorn 2.0.” Porzingis has implemented drastic changes in his game — working to eliminate midrange shots and out-of-the-point post-up, where he spent most of his time as a Knick, in order to become a vital space-the-floor and pick-and-roll target alongside early MVP candidate Luka Doncic. The Athletic learned that Porzingis and Mavericks head...