Kristaps Porzingis and NBA Draft

Welcome to The Truda Report everybody. Today I'll be hitting on the rumors surrounding the New York Knicks possibly trading their young star, Kristaps Porzingis. I'll also give a brief overview on what I feel could happen in the NBA Draft tonight.

Kristaps Porzingis:
​Ever since Porzingis skipped his exit interview with Phil Jackson at the end of this season, there have been questions regarding his place on the Knicks. By skipping the meeting, Kristaps was clearly showing up Jackson in a move of pure disrespect so it shouldn't surprise anyone that there are rumors about him not liking his place on the team. What is surprising though, is that last night Phil Jackson confirmed that he is listening to offers, saying he needs to, "do whats right for the franchise." Considering that Jackson is, as Max Kellerman put it on First Take, "hot garbage as an executive," the best thing for the franchise would probably be for Phil Jackson to step down from his role as President of Basketball Operations; he shouldn't be trading Porzingis. When you're a bad team you need to draft well, acquire young talent, and then once you're on the rise you can either trade for or sign veterans. The Knicks did good by drafting Porzingis, but now giving him up makes no sense. They need to keep him, continue to draft well, and then soon they will become a free agent destination again. If New York decides to trade away the players that show promise in turning the franchise around, then they will continue to be a terrible team for the foreseeable future.

I want to change gears here and turn to a report that came out about the Knicks and Celtics today. Boston is in pursuit of Porzingis because he could be incredibly important piece for them offensively and defensively. In his two years in the NBA Kristaps averages 7.3 rebounds per game, 1.9 blocks per game, and last year posted 18.1 points per game. Keep in mind, the Celtics are a poor rebounding team and are relatively small on the court due to Isaiah Thomas standing at 5'9''. With Porzingis becoming a better offensive threat every year as well as being a 7 foot 3 rim protector, he would be a great fit for Boston. The issue is though, he isn't as good as the Knicks are valuing him. Phil Jackson is asking for the Celtics to give up this years number 3 pick, Jaylen Brown (last years number 3 pick), Jae Crowder, and the Nets 2018 first round pick. The Celtics wouldn't give up half of this for Jimmy Butler earlier this year, who is an established All Star and one of the best two way players in the game. Porzingis may be a rising star, but he is injury prone and still unproven in terms of being an actual game changer in this league. Danny Ainge, the Celtics general manager, is one of the best in the business, and in no way would accept an offer like that. Phil Jackson needs to make up his mind and either legitimately try to move Porzingis or keep him and try to make amends for the better of the team.

NBA Draft:
In this section I'm just going to quickly hit on what I see as being interesting in tonight's draft.

• The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to take Markelle Fultz first overall tonight, but the dramatic in side of me has me thinking, what if they don't? I know it isn't likely, but I love seeing chaos on draft night.
• Due to the Lakers trading D'Angelo Russell a couple days ago, expect Lonzo Ball to be taken second overall.
• If the Celtics don't end up trading the pick, who will go third overall? I think Jayson Tatum makes the most sense for them since they need scoring, but Josh Jackson is an incredible talent so you never know.
• I'm really intrigued by De'Aaron Fox. I think he could become a left handed version of John Wall, and possibly the best point guard out of this draft. A lot of people have projected him to go fifth overall to the Sacramento Kings, which I think I agree with, but there is the possibility someone trades up for him and takes him higher.
• Speaking of Kentucky players and the Sacramento Kings, Malik Monk, Fox's partner in crime, could end up being taken by the Kings in the tenth spot of tonight's draft. It is very likely Monk is selected at either 9 or 10, so I think it would be great if the two met up in the NBA.
• The last thing that really has me thinking is the possibility of teams trading back. It happens almost every single year, and teams like the Lakers, Suns, and Celtics could use those picks in their pursuit for established talent through the trade market.