While the better part of the basketball world was taken by surprise by the huge trade deal that went down last week centered around Kristaps Porzingis, it turns out that this move had actually been a long time coming.

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the Dallas Mavericks had actually been very keen on acquiring Porzingis from the New York Knicks for years, and that they had already inquired about the 23-year-old on more than a few occasions:

The Mavericks’ interest in Porzingis has been an open secret to the Knicks for years. One Mavericks official estimated that Dallas approached the Knicks “about a hundred times” before the team ever showed any willingness to discuss trading him.

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On Thursday, the Mavs finally got their wish, as the Knicks agreed to send Porzingis to Dallas in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., Wesley Matthews, DeAndre Jordan, and two future first-round picks. That's quite a haul for New York, especially considering how they also rid themselves of the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke (all sent to the Mavs as part of the deal).

Nonetheless, Mavs owner Mark Cuban and his team still appear to be the big winners of this trade, as they have finally landed their man after an extended courtship.

Porzingis is reportedly not expected to suit up for his new team this season, but the prospect of a Porzingis-Luka Doncic duo next year is certainly a mouthwatering one for the Mavs faithful.