The Dallas Mavericks acquired a great player in Kristaps Porzingis, but left a hole in the middle after getting rid of DeAndre Jordan in the trade that sent the unicorn to Texas. However, the 7-foot-3 stretch-four is willing to play center if the matchup calls for it, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

“It doesn't really matter for me. I want to be in the best position defensively where I can be the most effective, and I want to be put in plays where I'm the hardest to guard on offense,” said Porzingis. “Last season, I was averaging 2.4 blocks until I got injured playing the four position most of the time. A lot of times, there's stretch fours and guys trying to drag me out, and still I was able to do that. It all depends on matchups.

“I don't think it's the right thing for me to be fighting the whole game against a five-guy that's a post-up guy, but if it's a guy that's close to the rim that's not really a post-up guy and I can help off and help my teammates… It all depends on the matchups.”

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Despite his towering size at 7 foot, 3 inches, Porzingis weighs only 240 pounds, the same as some small forwards in this league — making it a really unfair matchup against heftier centers like Steven Adams, DeMarcus Cousins and Joel Embiid, among others.

Porzingis is willing to do what's required of him as long as it makes sense, likely keeping an eye on his own health after already missing more than a season with a tear of his ACL.