4. The Asking Price Is Revealed
There’s no guaranteeing that the following report is reflective of what the New York Knicks actually want from a Kristaps Porzingis trade. It’s an intriguing revelation, however, and could indeed display how high Phil Jackson’s asking price is.
Per John Gambardo of Arizona Sports 98.7 Phoenix, the Knicks’ asking price may have been revealed when it asked for Devin Booker and the No. 4 pick from the Phoenix Suns.
Knicks have asked for Devin Booker and the #4 pick from Phoenix for Kristaps Porzingis - Ha Ha Ha. He is good but trust me not that good
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 20, 2017
A potential lineup of De’Aaron Fox, Devin Booker, Carmelo Anthony, Lauri Markkanen, and Willy Hernangomez would be tough to stop.
The bigger takeaway from this is that the Knicks are setting a high standard for what it will take to acquire Porzingis. The primary appeal of the trade is that Jackson would be netting the No. 4 overall draft pick without having to give it up the No. 8 pick.
With two Top 10 selections, the Knicks would position themselves to make progress towards sustainable success as soon as 2017-18.
In addition to a Top 5 draft pick, New York would receive a 20-year-old who’s already scoring at a historically significant level.
Booker is widely regarded as one of the most promising young guards in the NBA. He currently has more 30-point games before the age of 21 than all but two players in NBA history: LeBron James and Kevin Durant
With an asking price that high, the only way New York is going to trade Porzingis is if it receives a massive return in exchange.