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Knicks Fans Need to Step Off the Ledge

Trading Kristaps Porzingis could be the best thing to ever happen to the New York Knicks. How can Phil Jackson pull it off?

By Zach GothardPublished 7 years ago 3 min read
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Okay, Knicks fans. Phil Jackson has let you down. Multiple seasons of little to no progress, and now floating around the idea of trading away the one thing that has given you all faith: Porzingod. I understand completely why my timeline is full of Knicks fans who are threatening to burn down the Garden if this trade goes through, but is this actually the first move I like by Phil Jackson? Look, I’m a die hard Celtics fan. The idea of the Kristaps coming to Boston sounds too good to be true. Players like him who are only 21-years-old hardly come to the market. However, this is the perfect time to deal him if I’m the Knicks. Kristaps has reportedly had zero contact with the Knicks personnel since the season ended. He’s entering year three of his four-year deal. Do you think Pacers fans are sad that they didn’t trade Paul George last year? I know I would be. This offseason has every single team looking at their future stars and wondering what will happen. GM’s have no choice but to make every single player available. Are the Knicks (a team who won 31 games last year) close to competing with the Warriors or Cavs? HELL NO. The fact of the matter is, they aren’t even close to getting out of the first round. Kristaps is their one chance to enhance this team. It’s proven that one player — regardless of how good they are — cannot carry a team. Look at New Orleans, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Oklahoma City. You can try and do it, and you will fail.

So, is this really a bad move by Phil? I don’t think so. He’s being realistic. He realizes that his time to make the Knicks actual contenders and make Kristaps happy is ticking, and that the organization has no assets (besides this year’s lottery pick) to do it. Could he hit a home run at 8? Sure. But what are the chances that the 8th pick puts the Knicks into contention? I would go ahead and say zero/nada/none/zilch. But what if Phil could unload contracts or get future lottery picks? I offered a deal earlier today that would make Phil stop and think.

Celtics Send: 3rd Pick (2017 Draft) Lakers (2018 Pick 2–5) or (Sac 2019 pick), Jae Crowder, and Terry Rosier

Knicks Send: Porzingod, maybe even unload a contract

So, let's step back. The Knicks could get Josh Jackson (the best wing in this loaded draft), turn to their 8th pick and draft Lauri Makkenen, a stretch 4 who can score inside and out (sound familiar?), and gain two valuable players who actually have GOOD CONTRACTS. Something the Knicks know literally nothing about (see Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, or literally any Knicks player).

The Celtics could finally get the whale that they’ve been saving draft picks for since 1920.

Who loses? Nobody. This gives the Knicks two top 5 picks in the next couple years to go along with their own picks. Celtics fans may think this is too much, but give me a break. Have you seen Danny Ainge’s track record on draft day? Go take a look and come back to me.

I understand Knicks fans. I really do. The potential of a 21-year-old 7'3" stretch center is hard to part with. But GM’s are waking up. You can’t just hold on to these players and expect them to stay if your team is not competitive. Paul George is starting a trend no GM wants to be apart of. Can you imagine if the Knicks held on to Kristaps, only to see him leave in 2 years for nothing? There would be riots throughout New York. At least in this scenario you give yourself a chance to inject this BAD team with 4 lottery picks, as well as some young players in Crowder and Rosier. What if that Lakers pick lands at 2 and the Knicks are so bad that their pick ends at 1? It’s very possible that happens if they trade Kristaps. They could end up with Michael Porter Jr. and one of the elite center prospects from Arizona or Texas. That may sound like a long shot, but ask yourself this Knicks fans: is it that much crazier than thinking Porzingis will stay with the Knicks after his contract ends in two years? If you are Celtics fan, stand back and realize that Danny Ainge eventually has to do something with these assets. Right now, we are still waiting.

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About the Creator

Zach Gothard

Football Staff Writer for The Unbalanced

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