How does the New York Knicks’ trade of Kristaps Porzingis compare to other NBA blockbusters?
When the New York Knicks dealt their franchise star Kristaps Porzingis just before the trade deadline, the immediate reaction from many Knicks fans was extreme disappointment. Let’s compare similar scenarios where the perception of the trade was negative, however it actually proved to be a good trade for that team as the years unfolded. Knicks fans can only be hopeful that this will be the case for them.
Paul George for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis
At the time of this trade, it was wildly believed by NBA fans that the Oklahoma City Thunder completely fleeced the Indiana Pacers by stealing away Paul George for two “role players”. It is hard to mentally travel back in time and remember how trades were perceived, but picture a Victor Oladipo who struggled in OKC and a Domantas Sabonis who was coming off of the bench his rookie year, all in exchange for a superstar, George. Indiana fans were stunned.
Now, though, many people argue that the Pacers came out better in that trade as Oladipo has emerged into an all-star (unfortunately an injury ended his season) and Sabonis has helped keep the Pacers as a No. 3 seed in the East despite Oladipo’s absence.
It should be noted that George has been going absolutely bonkers and should be considered for MVP, but the point being is a once perceived “bad trade” for the Pacers turned into a beautiful collection of young talent.
DeMarcus Cousins for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 2017 first-round pick, 2017 second-round pick
At the time of this trade, the NBA universe believed the Pelicans stole DeMarcus Cousins away from the Kings and the Pelicans were viable to make a deep playoff run with a frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Boogie.
Flash forward to today, we now know that Cousins missed significant time with an Achilles injury and eventually left the Pelicans to join the already stacked Warriors.
The Sacramento Kings had never come close to sniffing the playoffs with Cousins, however currently they are the eighth seed in the West and are in the midst of a nice rebuild.
Buddy Hield is proving to be a promising shooting guard and those picks turned into Frank Mason and Harry Giles. The Kings could have done a little better with the draft picks, but they still need an opportunity to shine.
Similar to those trades, the Knicks traded away a promising superstar that they drafted. Yes I know, it still hurts. But what can come out of this trade is still to be determined, so let’s be patient. The Knicks now have an opportunity to woo two mega free-agents like Durant and Kyrie, have a promising young guard in Dennis Smith Jr., the worst record in the league which can potentially make for the number one pick and two more first round picks in 2021 and 2023.
Also, who knows if an injury prone Porzingis will fulfill his potential. Only time will tell if the New York Knicks turn out a winner.