Kristaps Porzingis: 'I don't think we've seen the best version of me yet' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

The new Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis is ready to turn a new page in his career. Even though he's been sidelined for the past several weeks due to a knee injury, the Latvian is eager to come back on the court with a new jersey on.

Points this season

46%107,1Points made:107,1Accuracy:46,4%Place in standings:22Record max:135Record min:80Best scorer:Bradley BealTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

On February 10th, the Dallas Mavericks traded Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Wizards for guard Spencer Dinwiddie and forward Davis Bertans. It's the second time the Latvian center has been traded in his NBA career.

Porzingis, though, is more than ready to face the new challenges that will welcome him in the US capital.

"I don't think we have seen [the best version of me] yet," Porzingis told NBCSW's Chris Miller. "I'm 26 years old, and it's been a roller coaster. There's an injury, you're out of rhythm so you have to get your rhythm back and conditioning."

"I think this is the perfect situation for me to finish out this season strong, get in a good rhythm, hopefully, make some noise as a team," the Latvian continued. "I've put in a lot of hours to be great and I feel like this is the right place for me to get to that next level."

Bradley Beal is the brightest star in the Wizards uniform this year. However, the all-star guard injured his wrist while bracing himself during a fall against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 29th. The player then decided to have season-ending surgery.

"He's incredible. He's one of those guys that takes a lot of attention away from everybody else in a good way," Porzingis said during the interview about Beal. "I also look forward to doing that, coming in here, taking the attention away so other guys can free up and shoot, and create for my teammates."

"Playing with Brad, I think it's going to be extremely fun," the newly-acquired center continued. "He's dynamic, he knows the game, he has a lot of experience in the playoffs and I think the sooner we are able to get on [the floor], even if it's practice floor together and start talking and start getting a feel for each other, the better off we'll be."

The team's general manager Tommy Sheppard was also excited about the possibility of Beal and Porzingis teaming up. "I think those guys in a two-man game is ideal for the way the NBA's played now," Sheppard told NBC Sports Washington.

"I think it's important that we move Kristaps around, not just park them in a corner. He's an elite cutter that opens up a lot of things and with his size, you think about maybe having him and [Daniel Gafford] together," Sheppard continued. "You could really, really put some pressure on the rim if you get somebody who knows how to make paint attacks and how to distribute the ball with those two out there."

The full interview:

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