New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis. (Photo : Getty Images)
Unless he decides to sign a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook will be the biggest name in trade rumors.
Unlike Kevin Love or DeMarcus Cousins who are locked in contracts, Westbrook is considered a high risk to leave his team at the end of the season. Thunder GM Sam Presti is doing the right thing to push the decision on Westbrook. While he may lose some leverage in the process, it allows him to clarify the mindset of the team, the fans and even the city of Oklahoma.
One of the trades that was mentioned in ESPN top writer Zach Lowe's podcast is a trade sending Westbrook to the New York Knicks, in a city which many believe Westbrook would like to live in because of his outspoken interest in fashion. Lowe brought up the idea of Sam Presti calling about Porzingis.
In a more formal scenario, the deal is: Westbrook and new acquisition Ersan Ilyasova (the deal should be made earliest on August 21) will be sent to the Knicks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose.
Porzingis is one of the most valuable assets in the league now. The Knicks grabbed him when the Lakers and Sixers passed on him in the 2015 NBA Draft. With a promising rookie season and a ton of upside, Porzingis is probably more valuable than even Carmelo Anthony, almost untouchable, but for a player like Westbrook, that should give one pause.
Westbrook is a top 5 player who can do anything on the court. He displayed this last season when he assembled a string of triple-doubles challenging breaking some records set by Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson in the process.
Westbrook fits in with the win-now timeline of Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah for that matter, but Rose would have to be sent back for salary purposes.
Lowe said he would not, even if Westbrook assures that he would stay. The other ESPN expert, Marc Stein said it would be a "tough" choice. Lowe said it wasn't.
It is "tough" because the Knicks gave Carmelo Anthony a no-trade clause. They can't trade him because it's clear that he loves New York and no way he would consider moving to Oklahoma. With their moves this offseason, it was clear they want to maximize his last three years on the contract.
But Porzingis is the future of the franchise beyond Carmelo. He would be the franchise player when the Knicks finally get their own draft picks. Porzingis could be the face of the Knicks in the next decade-he has that kind of potential.
The impatience and volume of the Madison Square Garden mob could compel Phil Jackson to pull the trigger if this was placed on the table. He could give the Knicks two years of contention before his contract (as Knicks president) is up. But that would be mortgaging their future.
It is an interesting question-would you trade Porzingis for Westbrook if you had the chance?
