League executives have had differing reactions to the blockbuster trade that shook the NBA world on Thursday, as the New York Knicks sent their prized unicorn Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks for Dennis Smith, Jr., a load of expiring contracts and future draft pick compensation.

The trade was a meme-able real life execution of the popular ready to risk it all moniker that only applies to those desperate to do so.

Shocking. Eye-batting. Unprecedented. Those are some of the words that come out of league executives' mouths when asked of their opinion regarding this move by the Knicks.

“It's never happened,” one veteran executive told Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. “Teams have given up unprotected picks. But no one's ever traded an established star, an established commodity, just to clear money.”

The trade brings up two potential ways of reasoning — either the Knicks know something the rest of the league doesn't, or they've flat-out given up hope in their greatest franchise cog since Patrick Ewing.

“The only reason you can justify doing it,” the same exec said of dumping Porzingis, “is you have some level of certainty in your own mind that you're getting KD and Kyrie, or KD and whatever.”

Others don't seem that forgiving after a move that to most outsiders looks downright irresponsible.

“Perplexing,” one veteran GM said. “Shortsighted.”

For a rival scout, it's rather fun to be around for the show, in case it all burns down to ashes, which can cause the Steve Mills-Scott Perry partnership go up in flames after only two seasons together.

“If they strike out, they will all be fired,” a rival scout said. “Crazy risk, but I kind of like it.”

The Knicks are banking on the promise that two max-level free agents will be willing to come to New York and begin the formation of a new superteam. Anything short of that goal could be considered failure, given the hefty salary they'd be forced to dole out for an accomplished All-Star veteran as a free agent signing in comparison to extending Porzingis and working it out.

It is a massive risk, but one others will watch with great attention, since if the Knicks garner the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — it could change it all.

The Knicks would have an equal 14 percent chance at it if they finish with one of the league's worst three records, and if successful, likely draft Zion Williamson, a generational talent that could be bundled in a trade scenario for Anthony Davis, therefore facilitating the entrance of another max-level stuff into the picture.

At the moment, this is all conjecture, and hopes — hopes the Knicks would be smart to deliver on, or risk being the NBA's laughing stock for the next few years to come.