NBA Trade Rumors: Kristaps Porzingis A Key For Knicks To Get Russell Westbrook From Thunder
Kristaps Porzingis is turning out to be a good pick for the New York Knicks despite fans' initial disapproval. Per recent NBA trade rumors, the power forward could also be the reason why the team may sign an elite level guard.
"The Knicks have a real chance to sell Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook in 2017-New York and (forward Kristaps) Porzingis have his attention, yes-and (team president Phil) Jackson ought to start constructing an elite coaching staff to begin that process with Westbrook and with free agents beyond him," Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.
It has been reported that Knicks, who is looking at a fresh start after firing coach Derek Fisher, is looking for a point guard. Westbrook will be a free agent by 2017 and there is no doubt that he will be an asset to the team that has a scoring machine in Carmelo Anthony.
With that NBA trade rumors and aside from Porzingis, another reason why Wojnarowski thought Westbrook will see Knicks as a possible new destination is the hiring of a new coach who will most likely be Luke Walton.
He is Jackson's former player with the Los Angeles Lakers and is currently an assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors.
Kurt Rambis is Knicks interim coach but league sources believe Brian Shaw and Luke Walton are top long-term replacement candidates
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 8, 2016
The said rumors can be part of a long term plan for the Knicks. They are currently in need of a point guard but they cannot get on any NBA trade talks right now because they have nothing to offer.
"It makes sense for the Knicks (to trade for Jeff Teague), but what do they have to offer?" one opposing executive said as per a report by New York Post.
"Teague is a good player under control for a low figure [$8 million] next year and then he'll enter the richest free-agency period ever."
