Kristaps Porzingis
Another disaster in Knicks-land: Porzingis, who the franchise hopes will be its face for the next decade, skipped an exit interview with Phil Jackson, frustrated over his comments in the same press conference in which he said it was time for Carmelo Anthony to go.
The Knicks don’t want to trade Porzingis and will do everything they can to find a resolution here. It’s also worth noting that Porzingis hasn’t formally demanded a trade. However, if the Celtics come calling with the Brooklyn pick — which could be the first overall pick after the lottery in two weeks — and other assets, New York may take the plunge.
Boston would be the hypothetical frontrunner to land Porzingis, should he become formally available. They’d have to give up the Brooklyn pick along with a couple rotation players — say Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley. However, that front office has been under major pressure to bring in a superstar, and Porzingis fits the bill. Paired with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford (not to mention Brooklyn’s 2018 pick), Boston would suddenly become downright terrifying in the East — especially with LeBron James getting older.
As for other teams, it’s doubtful whether anyone has the assets.
The Sixers may, but there’s no reason for them to add another big man unless they have no confidence in Joel Embiid’s health. Nobody else has enough young players or draft picks to get a 21-year old sure-fire superstar without mortgaging their future, Brooklyn-style.
The Knicks would also have to be willing to wait for a couple years to see returns from such a deal which, knowing James Dolan, could be a non-starter. Trading Porzingis in the first place is something nobody in the organization should want, but if things go further down this path, it could happen.