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Knicks Rumors: 5 Reasons Phil Jackson Won’t Leave New York In 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shakes hands with head coach Jeff Hornacek during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Knicks defeated the Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shakes hands with head coach Jeff Hornacek during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Knicks defeated the Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kristaps Porzingis

If you let revisionist historians tell it, Phil Jackson lucked into selecting Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. Porzingis fell into Jackson’s lap and everyone knew that the only option was to take him.

If you evaluate the actual events of what transpired, however, you’ll find that no one wanted Jackson to draft Porzingis.

Porzingis’ upside was tantalizing, but the masses were calling for Jackson to take Emmanuel Mudiay or Justise Winslow. The hype grew stronger when Winslow attended a New York Yankees game with Carmelo Anthony.

Despite the vast opposition—including crying and booing Knicks fans on draft night—Jackson entrusted the future of the organization to Porzingis.

By remaining in New York, Jackson would have the opportunity to see Porzingis’ development through. That alone is reason to believe he’ll want to remain with the Knicks, especially in the midst of his rise to stardom.

Porzingis is only on the Knicks because of Jackson. It’s hard to imagine Jackson will leave while Porzingis is in the early stages of his development.

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