Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks entertained trade offers for Kristaps Porzingis. After the second-year forward reportedly missed his exit meeting, former President Phil Jackson wanted to take the franchise in a different direction.
On the HoopsHype Podcast, Peter Vecsey revealed Jackson was attempting to trade Porzingis for the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft as transcribed by Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype:
People knew, they probably wouldn’t have accepted, but Phil was angling to try and trade Porzingis for the No. 1 pick to Boston and he would have taken [Lonzo] Ball. That’s who he was after. In the end, people might really like that.”
If the Knicks were successful, Porzingis likely would have been a member of the Boston Celtics and Markelle Fultz likely would have been a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Celtics ultimately traded down for Philadelphia 76ers' third overall pick and future first round picks.
With a new front office, it appears they are looking to build around Porzingis. As for Carmelo Anthony's future in New York, the front office reportedly re-engaged in trade discussions with the Houston Rockets, but it is difficult seeing them accepting a package around Ryan Anderson.
As the 2017-18 NBA season approaches, it will be interesting to see their Opening Night starting lineup for head coach Jeff Hornacek.
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