A Porzingis Trade That Makes Sense
Kristaps Porzingis is reportedly upset with the direction that the Knicks are headed. Can you blame him? The 7-foot-3 behemoth is so frustrated that he left the country after the season ended before even meeting with management, as was scheduled and expected. Kristaps just completed his second year in the NBA, and over that span the Knicks have won a grand total of 63 games. For context, the Warriors have won 140 regular season games over that same span.
It appears as though Phil Jackson is doing his best to run Carmelo Anthony out of town, but would he do the same with what many have considered to be the franchise's cornerstone and building block of the future in Porzingis? It is unclear, but seems unlikely as Kristaps turns 22 in August and is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can become as a player. With that being said, I have the perfect trade involving Porzingis that would make sense for both sides. Here it is:
New York Knicks receive:
-Blake Griffin
-Austin Rivers
-2018 First Round Pick
Los Angeles Clippers receive:
-Kristaps Porzingis
-Joakim Noah
You might be thinking "that's absurd", but let me explain myself. First of all, Blake Griffin is a free agent this summer, so this is contingent upon him resigning with the Clippers or perhaps this could occur via a sign-and-trade.
First thing: This is not a two-for-two trade as it appears. While the Clippers would be receiving Porzingis, they would also have to take on Joakim Noah's putrid contract (4 years/ $72 million). In other words, the Clippers would be doing the Knicks a favor by taking Noah's contract off of their books. In return for that favor, as well as sending an aging Griffin (although he's still a star) and an explosive guard in Rivers to the Knicks, the Clippers, I think, would be able to claim the Knicks most prized possession.
Why would the Knicks do it? The Knicks would get a star to replace Porzingis in Griffin, a solid point guard (who I really think could excel escaping the shadow of Chris Paul in LA), and the Knicks would then also have an additional $18 million a year in cap space that they would not otherwise have. (As an aside: that Joakim Noah contract is one of the worst in all of the NBA). It makes all of the sense in the world, especially if Kristaps really doesn't want to be in the Big Apple.
Why would the Clippers do it? For Doc Rivers and company, this is a no-brainer (except for the part of having to trade your son, but hey, that's business). By adding Porzingis, the Clippers would have a frontcourt of DeAndre Jordan and the Latvian Unicorn. That would be indefensible, especially as Porzingis continues to develop. That pairing along with Chris Paul (who would have to resign - which I believe he will) and another wing scorer via free agency (you're telling me Gordon Hayward wouldn't be intrigued?), and I truly believe the Clippers could contend with the Warriors. Yes, they would likely rack up an insane luxury tax bill, especially if they resign JJ Redick, but their owner is the former CEO of Microsoft. If this opportunity presented itself, rest assured that Steve Ballmer would gladly pick up the tab.
Very rarely, because of the way young players are monetarily motivated to stay with the team that drafts them, do players of Porzingis' stature bolt before signing their first extension, but if Kristaps Porzingis is so unhappy that he would contemplate leaving New York, the Knicks need to get something in return for his departure. I am not saying that this will happen, but it is a trade that would make sense from both sides perspectives.
