DALLAS — Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is off to a flying start in dealing with Janis Porzingis, Kristaps Porzingis’ influential brother/agent who paved the way for his departure from New York.
During Monday’s introductory press conference here, Carlisle gave a shout-out to Janis and Porzingis’ personal physiotherapist from the Spanish League, Manolo Valdivieso, who has lived with Kristaps in New York the past two seasons.
Valdivieso was at the Mavericks’ practice facility Tuesday as Porzingis went to work out in the weight room, already getting access. Carlisle revealed he had a two-hour meeting with Janis on Sunday and called him part of “our team.’’
Janis, who had a modest European playing career, wanted to be a bigger part of the Knicks’ team, too. According to sources, Janis asked for jobs for some members of Porzingis’ entourage. But nothing ever materialized.
It’s not uncommon for these type of jobs to be granted to a team’s superstar. When Carmelo Anthony was a Knick, Asani Swann was on the Knicks payroll with an official position, director of player relations. Swann was Anthony’s longtime branding manager and worked solely with Anthony.
Amare Stoudemire’s security man, Max Cayard, was named to the Knicks security staff soon after Stoudemire signed. When Anthony and Stoudemire moved on, so did Swann and Cayard.
Ultimately, Knicks brass could never satisfy Janis, whom Kristaps believes in fully. Janis felt the franchise, based on its history with Steve Mills’ past performance, was not moving in a winning direction.
During Thursday’s fateful meeting with Knicks brass, Janis delivered a list of teams high on Porzingis’ list with whom he’d want to re-sign long term — with the Spurs, Raptors, Nets and Clippers included, according to a source.
The Mavericks were not on the list — which is likely why Mavs owner Mark Cuban intercepted a question to
Porzingis on Monday about his long-term future. However, money is important to the Porzingis family and nobody within the Mavericks organization believes he’d sign a one-year qualifying offer and pass on $154 million.
According to sources, Janis Porzingis became a severe thorn in Phil Jackson’s side, staging Kristaps’ missed exit meeting after the 2016-17 season. Jackson wanted to trade Porzingis at the 2017 trade deadline because he got bad vibes from Janis regarding Porzingis’ future.
Jackson could have hauled in a package from Phoenix including Devin Booker that also would have netted Lauri Markkanen in the draft.
Janis also decided his brother’s offseason rehab should take place at Real Madrid instead of the Hospital for Special Surgery.
“Janis wanted the kingdom,’’ one source familiar with the situation told The Post.
The Knicks had no idea when they drafted Porzingis that Janis would loom this large.
“He’s the big brother and wants to protect him and I’m sure over the years his ego and confidence in handling Kristaps has grown,’’ one NBA source said. “It could also be the Knicks’ fault. You have to set boundaries … but they allowed him everywhere and that created Janis knowing and seeing everything.”
Porzingis initially was represented by Andy Miller, who had a good relationship with the Knicks. Janis joined Miller’s powerful ASM Sports agency but that no longer exists.
Cuban has an over-the-top personality, so his relationship with Janis bears watching. Knicks brass no longer has to worry about it.
