Petteri Koponen of Finland
On Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks executed a trade often seen on draft day, involving lesser-known players and future potential. The Mavericks sent the draft rights to center Ariel Hukporti, the draft rights to guard Petteri Koponen, and cash considerations to the Knicks in exchange for the draft rights to forward Melvin Ajinça.
The intriguing aspect of this trade is that while Hukporti and Ajinça were newly drafted prospects on Thursday, Koponen was drafted 30th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2007.
Koponen, who has since had a distinguished career playing in various European leagues across Finland, Italy, Russia, Spain, and Germany, is now transitioning into coaching. He will serve as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs during the upcoming Summer League.
I'm honored @nyknicks, but I'm still going to honor my commitment with @spurs. Of course, a financially ridiculous offer could change things. + I got the new hip! I’m ready! https://t.co/m4K82Prkcm
— Petteri Koponen (@KoponenPetteri) June 28, 2024
Despite his coaching commitments, Koponen found humor in the situation and shared a light-hearted post on social media. “I’m honored (New York), but I’m still going to honor my commitment with (the Spurs),” he wrote on Friday morning. “Of course, a financially ridiculous offer could change things. + I got the new hip! I’m ready!”
Had Koponen played in the NBA, he would have been just the second Finnish-born player in the league’s history, following in the footsteps of Atlanta Hawks forward and center Hanno Möttölä. Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen eventually claimed that title.
Though his playing days are behind him, there remains a sliver of humor and hope that Koponen might one day grace an NBA court, even if it’s in a coaching role rather than as a player. For now, he seems content and committed to his new path, but as his post suggests, the door to the NBA is never completely closed.
