Several teams reportedly reached out to the New York Knicks about trading for Kristaps Porzingis after he skipped his exit meeting.
Every team in the NBA is looking for the next unicorn. It’s the one thing the New York Knicks can be proud that they already have.Kristaps Porzingis skipping his exit meeting with team president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills was an opportunity.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, several teams reached out to the Knicks to talk about possible trades regarding Porzingis. Begley continues saying “it is unclear whether the discussions led to any substantial trade parameters.”
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Porzingis has repeatedly stated that he wishes to remain in New York, but his No. 1 priority is to win. The Knicks haven’t done that in his short time with the franchise.
The comments he made at a news conference in Latvia weren’t encouraging. The 21-year-old said he hasn’t spoken with the team since the end of the season. Porzingis was announcing his intentions to play in the European Championships.
Another detail has emerged on the story of a Carmelo Anthony trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s an interesting scenario on how Phil could finally get his nemesis out of town. This one involves a familiar player.
It’s pending free agent J.J. Redick.
Via Marc Berman of The New York Post:
According to some league executives, the only deal that makes sense for both sides is packaging Redick, combo guard Austin Rivers and adding wing man Wesley Johnson for financial purposes in exchange for Anthony and perhaps one of the Knicks’ two second-round picks in next month’s draft. At the trade deadline, the Clippers’ offer of Rivers and 37-year-old Jamal Crawford was turned down by the Knicks.
Doc Rivers’ comments to reporters after an early playoff exit made it appear that he wants to keep Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and Blake Griffin together. Paul and Griffin are both free agents.
Redick would have to agree to a sign and trade and at his projected salary of $16 million. It’s hard to believe that the sharpshooter would agree to go from a contending playoff team to the dumpster fire that is the Knicks.
This could end up being the best deal available to Jackson. Anthony’s close relationship to point guard Paul makes him likely to accept a trade to Los Angeles.
Another league executive had this to say.
“It’s a great deal for the Knicks — they get a shooter they need [Redick], Rivers is a perfect sixth man and even Wesley is long and athletic and a great locker-room guy,’’ the executive said. “It’s a solid trade for them. They haven’t been able to win with Melo.’’