With a friendly interview on home turf, speaking to the Knicks' own network Wednesday night, Phil Jackson had a chance to sooth the wounds of the franchise and fix the rift with Kristaps Porzingis - and the growing discontent of the fan base.
And then, the kicker: "First of all, we don't know the triangle that well". After being selected fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Porzingis has captured the hearts and imaginations of NY fans - dazzling the Garden crowd with DEEP threes, powerhouse dunks, and devastating blocks.
Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. During his exit interview, Jackson told the media that nobody on the Knicks is untouchable.
The Celtics are certainly among the teams that would have more than enough assets to complete a trade for Porzingis, who is under contract through 2018-19 at an average cap hit of about $5.9 million. But when you consider how things have soured, it's worth noting Jackson may not deserve all the credit.
"I don't think I've ever had a player, over 25 years of coaching, not coming to an exit meeting". Does he know how to do anything without dragging one of his best players in public? He sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas in 2014 and acquired Derrick Rose past year. "A few suitors have made themselves very present, and they call every day and wonder what we are going to do with our picks".
NY surprisingly revealed yesterday that they were open to trading Porzingis, but recent reports indicated that they are listening to offers rather than actively shopping the 7-foot-3 Latvian.
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New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis (6), of Latvia, shoots over Phoenix Suns' Marquese Chriss (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in New York.
Let's also throw in the fact that Porzingis has shown himself to be an elite defender around the rim (even if his defense in other aspects is slightly lacking).
According to ESPN, the Knicks have tabbed Josh Jackson as the best prospect in the draft, and the Kansas forward is projected to go third after Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. The Suns seem like the most likely destination, and could package the No. 4 pick and either Devin Booker or Marquese Chriss to secure Porzingis.
Wednesday night, 76ers star Joel Embiid seemed to allude to the Knicks' situation.
I've seen people kick around the idea of trading Ben Simmons to get Porzingis. But instead, the team chose to pick up the final two years and ride with Jackson going forward. The relationship between Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony certainly isn't a good one. Well, that is if Phil Jackson and the Knicks' front offices do not trade him, first.
Or, maybe you don't have to wonder.
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