The Dallas Mavericks front office and governor Mark Cuban have insisted big man Kristaps Porzingis is not available ahead of the trade deadline.

Yet, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the general consensus among league executives is the 7-footer is accessible in a trade:

And Porzingis heard his name pop up in the trade rumor mill. Although Mavs owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle publicly declared that the team had not engaged in trade discussions regarding Porzingis, the perception among executives around the league is that he is available.

It is generally unknown how Porzingis is valued by rival teams, if he is indeed available.

Porzingis has decent numbers. He is averaging 20.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. His post game has improved, with the Mavs having more comfort running things through him on the low block. The former All-Star still remains a capable three-point shooter, though his 35.1 percent clip is mostly mediocre.

But the question marks come at the other end of the floor. Porzingis can be an asset as a rim protector when he is engaged. However, he is averaging almost a half-block lower (1.5) in terms of swats as compared to last season (2.0). The 25-year-old's -1.5 defensive box plus-minus is the worst of his career.

Then there are the injury concerns. Porzingis has had procedures to repair a torn ACL and torn meniscus. There could be timidity in giving up value for a guy with that kind of injury history, especially given Porzingis is in just the second year of a five-year, $158 million contract with the Mavs.

Dallas signaled Porzingis would be the second star alongside Luka Doncic when it first handed the Latvian big man that deal. It seems more likely the Mavs hope Porzingis can channel more energy on the defensive end and help the team win in the second half.