The Dallas Mavericks bowed out in the first round of the playoffs once again in 2020/21 after blowing a 2-0 series lead against the Los Angeles Clippers. While Luka Doncic was brilliant, Kristaps Porzingis struggled to get going for the Mavs. The big man has bounced back with an impressive campaign so far this season, but it appears he was very upset with how Rick Carlisle utilized him, to the point that he wanted a trade this past summer.

Via ESPN's Tim MacMahon:

Porzingis was frustrated, feeling he was a strategic afterthought for a team that couldn't get out of the first round, often utilized primarily as a catch-and-shoot 3-point threat to space the floor for Doncic. That was spotlighted during the Mavs' seven-game playoff loss to the LA Clippers, when the 7-foot-3 Porzingis spent most of the series spotted up in the corner because Carlisle was convinced he was incapable of punishing LA's switching defense with post-ups.

As he entered the offseason, Porzingis was so disillusioned, sources said, that he privately hoped he would be traded.

Porzingis has felt refreshed after Carlisle's resignation, team sources said. Kidd has made a point of giving Porzingis the green light to take the kind of shots Carlisle wanted to eliminate from his arsenal.

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Wild. There were also concerns about his chemistry with Doncic, but they've certainly improved on that front as well. The arrival of Jason Kidd as the new Mavs head coach has clearly given Porzingis renewed energy to be a part of this franchise and you can see it in his play.

The Latvian is averaging 19.5 points and 7.9 rebounds on 45% shooting from the field and while he is only draining 30% of his threes, his mid-range and post-up game have improved. Most notably, he looks pleased to be playing for the Mavs again.