Phil Jackson was not alone in his offseason desire to explore trading Kristaps Porzingis. Others around the organization weren’t thrilled that the young star took it upon himself to call out the New York Knicks’ dysfunction by skipping his exit meeting.
From ESPN.com’s Ian Begley:
Of course, the Anthony drama wasn’t the only issue hanging over the franchise. Young star Porzingis skipped his exit meeting with Jackson and then general manager Steve Mills over what team sources described as frustration with the drama and dysfunction surrounding the franchise. Jackson and the Knicks then discussed potential trades of Porzingis with several teams in the days and weeks leading up to the NBA draft. Those conversations were painted in some corners as Jackson teaching Porzingis a lesson after the skipped exit meeting, but multiple sources familiar with the matter say that there were members of the organization in favor of trading Porzingis at the time.
Need any more proof the Knicks franchise is batshit incompetent in more than just the high-profile spots?
You do not trade a 20-something superstar still on his rookie deal because he had the gall to point out how inconsistently your shop is run. Jackson’s whole flirtation with Porzingis always felt motivated more by his ego than anything else, and these unnamed execs who supported said dalliance no doubt indulged the same self-centered vibes.
What would the Knicks have gotten for Porzingis at the time? A lottery pick and, maybe, the ability to relocate Joakim Noah’s contract? Okay, cool. That still doesn’t make the trade worth it. Even then, before we knew Porzingis could thrive as the face of an above-.500 squad without Carmelo Anthony, he registered as a sure thing still in the infancy under his career. Teams don’t just give those guys away, not even for a king’s ransom—especially this early into their career when, given how restricted free agency plays out, these stars are essentially under organizational control for seven to nine years.
The Knicks obviously didn’t trade Porzingis, so kudos to whoever stopped Jackson and his minions from making that mistake. That this move was ever actually on the table, though, remains absolutely terrifying.
