Bigger Risk to sign long-term: Ezekiel Elliott or Kristaps Porzingis?

The Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys are on the cusp of offering two massive contract extensions causing many to wonder who’s riskier, Kristaps Porzingis or Ezekiel Elliott?

The past few months have been trying times for Dallas Sports fans. The Dallas Mavericks have seen a handful of concerning issues pop up around their newest superstar, Kristaps Porzingis, and the Dallas Cowboys have seen the lifeblood of their offense, Ezekiel Elliott, find trouble once again.

Both players are considered key cogs for their respective franchise and both players are soon to be offered massive contract extensions. To say each contract comes at a risk is an understatement. Both players have the potential to lift or sink their team. So which one is more risky?

The answer to this depends on how you value risk. Some people may see off-the-field issues different from on-court issues. And how do you compare an injury situation with a legal issue? Or a possible suspension with on-court production?

The topic was broached by Shan Shariff last week in this tweet:

Both sides made good points proving there is no true right or wrong answer at this point in the discussion.

Kristaps Porzingis

Porzingis comes with multiple on-court issues: First is his knee injury. In today’s day and age, we expect all players to bounce back from knee injuries – especially if they’re young. But Porzingis is not your average athlete. The man known as “The Unicorn” is a 7’3” freak athlete. You see guys who look like Zeke walking around every day. You don’t see people who look like KP…anywhere. As such, we can’t just assume the recovery is no big deal.

We’ve also never seen KP play with the Dallas Mavericks. We don’t know how he’ll fit on this squad, with this coach, in this city. He’s going to get a contract before we know any of these things.

Finally there’s the off-the-court issues: KP has been accused of sexual assault (which has now become an extortion case where he’s the victim) and recently was in a bloody bar fight. He doesn’t look guilty of wrong-doing in either case, so maybe we shouldn’t hold this against him. But then again, we never saw stuff like this with Dirk Nowitzki now, did we?

More from Dallas Cowboys

• Dallas Cowboys Linebackers: 2023 Position Overview
• Ballhawk University: Why the Cowboys will be takeaway leaders
• Dallas Cowboys Player to Watch: Sleeper TE John Stephens, Jr.
• Dallas Cowboys: The impact of Micah Parsons and a well-rounded secondary
• Dallas Cowboys still unsure about their left guard position for 2023

Ezekiel Elliott

Zeke’s issues are far more spread out but equally as complex and worrisome. You see, Zeke has already been found guilty by his league for something. Even though the court of law didn’t see it this way, the NFL hit Zeke for violating their domestic violence policy. This violation came with a six-game suspension.

If he violates it again, he’s facing indefinite banishment.

Keep in mind, a legal conviction is not required. If the league (and by ‘league’ I mean one man, Roger Goodell) finds an accuser credible, Zeke’s out. If that doesn’t send chills up your spine as a Cowboys fan, I’m not sure what will.

Throw in Zeke’s other off-the-field incidents (pulling the top down on a girl and drunkenly knocking over a security guard) and you have pattern of poor decision-making when in public.

The good news is Zeke is built like a tank and even though he’s led the league in carries over the last three seasons, he’s held up quite well.

That’s what makes this all so complicated. KP’s primary concerns revolve around his health while Zeke’s revolve around suspension. Porzingis is one false step away from another knee injury and another season lost. Zeke’s an accusation away from another suspension and another season lost. Both players come with legitimate risk.

Who Offers More?

The tiebreaker for me is their respective impact on the games in which they play. Zeke may currently be the engine that drives the Dallas Cowboys but we’ve seen first-hand how replaceable running backs are in the league. I’m not saying just anyone can replace Zeke – but adequate solutions are everywhere.

Additionally, even dominant running in the NFL is far less complicit in winning than just an average passing attack. For more on this check out:

KP on the other hand is special in every way AND plays a vital position/role in his league. His ability to do everything on offense (post up, pick and roll, shoot deep, drive, etc…) makes him more impactful to his team than a running back makes in the NFL (It helps that one basketball player makes up 20% of the team’s positions). You don’t find unicorns everyday, do you?

Both Kristaps Porzingis and Ezekiel Elliott come with significant risk on their next deals so both are good answers to this question. But factoring in the sport, the position they play, and the replaceability of their production, I’m inclined to call Zeke riskier since he offers his team less.

What do you think?

• Published on 05/25/2019 at 12:00 PM
• Last updated at 05/24/2019 at 06:52 AM