Cavs want Porzingis, but Knicks should just hang up on that call
If or when the Cavaliers call about Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks should respond with an oldie: “Hold on, I want you to say what’s up to my buddy Tone.” The joke may not work anymore because of the infiltration of cell phones into every human activity (“What is a dial tone,” asks millennials), but you get the point. Hang up. Kyrie Irving represents the shiny new object, and we all know how much James Dolan loves shiny things (along with loyalty from his Garden executives). But there’s only one Porzingis in the NBA, or, more specifically, one 7-3 unicorn who won’t be a RESTRICTED free agent for another two years. He’s the prototypical big man for today’s NBA, capable of stretching the floor and protecting the rim. You don’t give up on a 22-yearold who represents the best player the Knicks have drafted since Patrick Ewing.
Instead, you label that player untouchable. You fly to Europe and convince him that the Knicks are headed in the right direction after two incredibly dysfunctional seasons under Phil Jackson.
If, as ESPN reported Tuesday, the Cavaliers identified Porzingis as their primary target in a deal for Irving, the Knicks shouldn’t use the opportunity to unload Carmelo Anthony or work Joakim Noah’s albatross contract into the negotiations. Trying to fix a mistake with a mistake is why Bill Clinton was impeached and George Clooney was once cast as Batman.
So just hang up. It’s an easy way for the new front office to distance itself from Jackson, who publicly placed Porzingis on the trading block out of spite, mostly, while further alienating the Latvian.
There’s a plan in place to build around Porzingis, and part of it involves the point guard the Knicks just drafted eighth overall in Frank Ntilikina. Giving up on that is akin to the shortsightedness that prompted the Knicks to trade for Derrick Rose, or sign Noah to the worst deal of 2016.
Granted, Irving isn’t Rose. He’s a special offensive talent, a future Hall of Famer at the beginning of his prime. But let’s be honest: acquiring Irving for Porzingis won’t get the Knicks much closer to beating the Celtics in their own division, let alone the Cavs, Spurs, Rockets or Warriors.
If Irving really wants to play in New York, he can sign as a free agent in two years. Just make sure he does it early in the summer so the Knicks can also fit in Porzingis’ max contract using his Bird Rights. he Knicks should’ve exhibited such foresight before dealing for Carmelo Anthony over six years ago. But they panicked and gave up the house instead of waiting Anthony out for free agency. Those assets could’ve been used to land Chris Paul a few months later, but they instead embarked on a long and often directionless path that has led to this standoff with Anthony.
This time, the Knicks should actually follow a plan and hang up the phone.
TGETTY