Don’t think NYK has players and assets we want nearly as much as KI. A trade would be a big step back in a year where we have a real shot to win the title. And if the reason for a trade is that we can’t hang onto him, we won’t find another team to give us major assets for a part-year rental.
I also am not one who believes all the KI to NYK talk. From the outside the team culture looks positive and the players get along. They’re set for a long run of greatness. Will he leave that to play for a disfunctional outfit like the NYK - and get bounced from the playoffs by the Celtics, Bucks, Sixers, Toronto, Pacers for the life of his next contract???
What's been dysfunctional about the Knicks since Phil Jackson left? They drafted two good prospects (Knox and Robinson), will be getting a high lottery pick in 2019 as Porzingis won't be rushed back, and will potentially have the cap room to sign 2 impact players in the summer. The reports are the cap will spoke next off-season, so that along with a salary dump (Hardaway) and perhaps two players that want to play together (Irving and Buter) make them a threat to make a quick turnaround.
Irving has also said the following about wanting to play with Porzingis:
The Celtics point guard also revealed that he paid Porzingis a compliment when the Knicks played in Boston in October earlier this season.
“I told him I would love to play with a big like you, man, when we played them in the beginning of the season when he came to Boston,’’ Irving said during the media session after practice on Saturday. “He’s so versatile. So I wish him nothing but the best and hope he comes back even stronger.”
So, yeah, I definitely do think the Knicks could have a big 3 of Irving, Porzingis, and Butler, with a young core of 2019 top 10 pick (or higher), Knox, Ntlikina, and Robinson in supporting roles.