Unbalanced logo

The Best Landing Spots for Kristaps Porzingis

With rumors circulating that the Knicks’ big man could be out of New York, it’s time to find the perfect feeding ground for a Unicorn

By Dan O'SheaPublished 7 years ago 5 min read
Like
ESPN

As if this offseason hasn’t already gotten off to a ridiculous start with a number of whales available through trade or free agency, Phil Jackson just took everyone’s porpoises and raised them a horse with a horn on its head.

View on Twitter

This is still a long shot, but you have to at least entertain the idea of New York moving Porzingis. Trading a young, potential superstar kind of defeats the purpose of rebuilding, considering he’s the kind of player you build around. Still, he’s clearly not happy. He missed his exit meeting with New York and is fed up with Phil Jackson and company. When your 21-year-old building block is thinking about joining Charles Oakley’s revolution, you might want to trade him and receive a massive return before things get ugly.

Now, the hard part is finding a deal that would make the impending lynch mob that would storm MSG looking for Jackson worth it, that are at least somewhat realistic. The Sixers wouldn’t part ways with a majority of their pieces, the Clippers don’t have enough to even pretend to make the right offer despite Porzingis’ draw to Lob City, and Golden State isn’t really in the need for anyone at the moment. If we want Porzingis to gallop free, there are a few teams that could pry him away from New York.

Include 2018 + 2020 HOU 1st Rounders

It’s almost strange at this point with all these players on the trade block that we haven’t heard a peep from Houston.

Maybe it’s because this team is just waiting for something bigger to come up, or maybe they don’t feel like breaking up the band that just won 55 games in a stacked Western Conference. Still, this is the kind of deal the Rockets should definitely pursue.

For Houston, the benefits of this trade make this a no-brainer. While you are getting rid of a number of role players who helped you get the three seed last season, you’re still vastly improving. Harden can still be the pick and roll monster he was last season, he’ll just have a 21-year-old phenom alongside him for the long haul. Plus, adding a perennial All-Star in Melo doesn’t ever hurt. It would instantly give Houston an offense that could keep up with Golden State.

As for New York, you’re getting a big return. You get a number of young, talented players who could fit the triangle like Sam Decker and Patrick Beverley, while getting rid of Melo in the process. Yes, your team tanks next season, but isn’t that the point? Include a slew of Houston first rounders to sweeten the deal, and it’s at least a rebuild you can think about considering.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Includes CLE 2018 1st Round Pick

This isn’t a likely trade, but there are a few reasons you have to entertain it. 1.) Cleveland is looking to upgrade in any way possible at this point to compete with Golden State. 2.) The Knicks have made way, way more insane moves in the past. If they’re thinking about dumping Porzingis in the first place, is this really that absurd to consider?

The Knicks have shown they love to trade for aging stars in the past, and Love would actually be an upgrade from their normal trade haul. He’s still in his prime and can go back to putting up 25/16 like he did back in his meaningless years in Minnesota. He doesn’t have a no trade clause like Melo, so Jackson could continue wheeling and dealing to give Love to another contender and bring in more assets to do a complete restart with this team.

As for Cleveland, this makes next year’s NBA Finals that much more compelling. They have a 21-year-old star to protect the rim next to Thompson and provide stretch scoring, and they add one of the better scorers in the past decade.

LA Lakers

Include 2017 №2 Overall Lakers Selection

He may not be traveling to the Clippers like he promised that girl when he slid into her DMs, but it’s close enough for him to still slide back in.

Ever since Kobe’s corpse finally retired from basketball, the Lakers have been looking for anything to make them relevant again. LA fans, I give you your answer.

This is one of the better deals to help both sides. The Knicks would be insane to trade the Zinger unless they got something insane in return. They’d not only get rid of Melo, but they’d receive the No. 2 overall pick in return, possibly bringing the Ball insanity to the Garden. Plus, you’re adding talented players like Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Lonzo at the top of the triangle, Clarkson at the shooting guard spot, plus Randle and whomever you draft at the eight slot is far from a bad future.

For the Lakers, you finally have a core unit that attracts free agents to LA. You have a proven superstar in Melo with three incredible talents around him in Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell, and Porzingis. You not only have a team that can win games now, but also a roster that can win later. Plus, you can finally stop looking at Timofey Mozgov on your bench, which might be the biggest win of all.

Boston Celtics

Includes 2017 №3 Overall Pick, LAL 2017 1st Round Pick OR SAC 2019 1st Round Pick

This is the most obvious one, considering the Celtics have openly come out and admitted they’ve been on Jackson’s recent calls list as they gauge what it’ll take to bring Porzingis to the other Garden.

View on Twitter

The reason why Porzingis to Boston makes sense is because of how many assets the Celtics have in their arsenal. This gives Boston a chance to compete for an Eastern Conference title now, and in the future. It finally gives Boston that “white whale” they’ve been looking for ever since Ainge started stockpiling draft picks all those years ago.

As for the Knicks, you can finally blow it up. They get the third pick in the draft, which presents an opportunity to get Josh Jackson, who they’ve been rumored to like. New York also walks away with a solid role player in Jae Crowder with a favorable contract, plus another high lottery pick next season. It’s the most attractive looking eject button of them all.

Unless they plan on wading in their own filth and dragging Porzingis into it for the future, the Knicks may want to look at unloading and restarting — yet again.

basketball
Like

About the Creator

Dan O'Shea

Staff Writer at The Unbalanced. Aspiring trophy husband. Can be found arguing hot takes and hating Spike Lee. Stay positive, test negative.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.