New York Knicks President Phil Jackson “isn’t ruling out” trading star Kristaps Porzingis, Yahoo Sports reported.
Porzingis is the Knicks best player by a large margin and is only 21. Why Jackson would consider trading a talent like Porzingis is anyone’s guess.
Sources: As teams become aware Phil Jackson isn’t ruling out possibility of trading Kristaps Porzingis, frenzy of interest is growing today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 20, 2017
Sources: Phil Jackson met with Lauri Markkanen in New York on Monday, a player whom he’s considering at No. 8 should Knicks move Porzingis. https://t.co/44d8EqMoBm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 20, 2017
Markkanen isn’t considered the same type of prospect as Porzingis, who was the the fourth pick in the 2015 draft.
Porzingis skipped the Knicks’ closeout interviews because he was reportedly upset with the team’s dysfunction. Under Jackson, the Knicks have tried to force forward Carmelo Anthony to waive his no-trade clause, with Jackson openly saying Anthony would be better off playing elsewhere.
Unless Jackson can get a king’s ransom in return for Porzingis, a trade wouldn’t make any sense.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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