The Knicks recently exercised their team option to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis for 2018/19. However, if Phil Jackson were still calling the shots at Madison Square Garden, who’s to say what The Unicorn’s basketball future would look like, Bryan Kalbrosky of Hoops Hype writes.
According to Peter Vecsey, who received the first and to-date only quote from Jackson after his departure from the Knicks, Jackson was legitimately interested in trading Porzingis.
Vecsey said: “People knew, they probably wouldn’t have accepted, but Phil was angling to try and trade Porzingis for the No. 1 pick to Boston and he would have taken [Lonzo] Ball. That’s who he was after. In the end, people might really like that.”
Vecsey adds that when Jackson began embarrassing Porzingis, owner James Dolan knew Jackson was no longer a suitable executive for the team.
Here are some more notes regarding the Knicks:
- Prior to this year’s NBA draft, Dennis Smith Jr. dined with former team president Jackson and was encouraged to eat an octopus tentacle, relays Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News. Although Smith reluctantly ate the exotic delicacy, the Knicks opted to draft Frank Ntilikina instead. Smith was selected by the Mavericks with the following pick. Smith was a standout performer at the NBA Las Vegas Summer League and has already inked a three-year endorsement deal with Under Armour.
- Seventy years ago, the Knicks’ visionary coach Joe Lapchick pushed racial integration on a league that would merge with another to form the NBA three years later. Lapchick did so by fielding an all-black team that he pushed to have admitted to the league. Today, the Knicks are again at the vanguard of diversity, writes Harvey Araton of The New York Times. This time, New York is blazing trails in its front office, boasting the only African-American president-and-general-manager tandem in the NBA and proceeding to hire three more black front office executives in recent weeks.
- For more news, notes, and rumors on the Knicks, be sure to check out their team page.
Have a feeling in a few years we will look back at the mistake of the Knicks passing up on Smith Jr for Frank. Frank better turn into an elite defending and passing guard bc Smith Jr will be putting up around 20 a night at some point.
Can’t guage a player by the stats he puts up, the Knicks made the right selection for their roster. Ntilkina will be a 2 way terror and lead the Knicks along with Hardaway Jr and Porzingis.
I doubt that. And I’m a Knicks fan.
Smith Jr would’ve been my pick and the THJ signing is a joke. Just another charitable contact dished out by Knicks management.
Switch teams bro because no real fan thinks negatively about his team. Hardaway Jr became a better player in Atlanta and Wade said he’s a different a player. Porzingis will be better also.
Being realistic based on the circus known as Dolan and Knicks management. My head isn’t in the sand. Aside from KP, everything else is questionable.
Ball in the Garden would have been Clyde Frazier type exciting or Earl the Pearl.
I actually think Hardaway is going to be solid I can see him putting up 15 a night. From what I’ve heard his defense which is not great by any measure has improved.
Padam, I’m not buying the DSJ Kool-Aid. Glad he’s killing the Summer League tho!
I’m glad Knicks didn’t acquiesce to the pressure and throw Ntulikina into the fire especially if he wasn’t 100%.
Padam, you’re one of the more intelligent posters here so this surprises me coming from you but can we please wait for Frank to play 1 legit NBA game before criticizing the pick, please?
Remember how everyone wanted Okafor right? Let’s learn from our mistakes and give this kid a chance.
As for THJ, yes he was an overpay, but I’m going into that. Irrelevant, my friend. THJ was a PURE STEVE MILLS SIGNING. (Phil Jax was the one who traded Hardaway for peanuts; because he didn’t fit his ‘system’, and Mills is the one who spent the $$$ to get him) and as Dionis pointed out THJ is a much better player then the one we were accustomed to seeing, so what’s with the negativity?
Guess who drafted Frank, padam? It wasn’t Mills. It was Phil. The 2 have nothing to do with each other, and I don’t know why you brought that up.
Phil Jackson was a fool at many things. Drafting wasn’t one of them and based on Phil’s drafting pedigree alone, he deserved the benefit of doubt in that regard.
And I’d STILL take Frank over DSJ, regardless of who drafted him! Highest upside and lowest floor of any player in the draft… Remember the last time Knicks drafted an INT player with highest upside/lowest floor of any player in the draft. ..I think his name was Porzingis.
I’m a Knicks fan like you, and used to many failures but it’s Wayyyyyyy to early to say he should’ve ‘picked this player over that player’.
The Knicks made the right decision drafting Frank Knicky instead of Monk & DSJR a 2 way player 6-6 3 & D combo guard is more valuable than 1 dimensional players who are awful on defense! Thanks Mr Dolan for ending The ZENMASTER’S reign of errors! KP6, THJ, HERNANGOMEZ, Frank Knicky & Dotson are cornerstones 2 the Knicks revival and if Melo drama stays in NY with the signings of Beasley & Sessions they are a playoff team in the eastern conference! A starting 5 of Sessions , THJ, KP6, Lee & MELO with Frank Knicky, Dotson , Beasley, Hernangomez & LTHOMAS or KUZMINSKAS as a 2nd unit is better than every team in the eastern conference except the Cavs, Celtics, Raptors and Wizards tanking is only possible if you have injuries or trade your best players ie KP6 & MELO otherwise NY finally gets in the tournament this season!
What about Noah ?
Boston should’ve been all over Porzingis for no. 1.
Front office diversity…what a diversion. Dolan is a lifetime dope. What is next…Isaiah Thomas returns as coach? How about complete a trade for Melo? NBA needs a winner in MSG! Kyrie is one of the best in the league….he wants to play for Knicks…what are these front office genius doing besides hiring more of their friends for staff positions. You win with players…not staffers!