“Kristaps Porzingis skips exit interview” was the popular headline after the 2016-17 season. The New York Knicks finished 31-51, Willy Hernangomez — Porzingis’ best friend on the team — was traded amid a reduced role, Porzingis’ favorite coach Josh Longstaff was fired and Carmelo Anthony‘s future became a public battle.
The tea leaves existed nearly two years ago, but after just two NBA seasons, Porzingis potentially leaving the Knicks seemed ludicrous. Why trade such a young, promising talent on a rookie-scale deal?
Well, that’s what the former president of basketball operations, Phil Jackson, once tried.