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I have a strong urge to vomit right now, so please excuse the brevity of this post. I can only hold it in for so long.
I don’t need to tell you that the Knicks have been answering calls about trading away Kristaps Porzingis — it’s been the prevailing storyline in a young offseason already rife with intrigue.
What is more concerning, however, is that Phil Jackson appears to be serious about moving our beloved unicorn. Per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:
Phil Jackson is apparently willing to trade Kristaps Porzingis to a division rival but the Boston Celtics, as of now, are unwilling to meet his asking price, which would include two draft picks the Daily News has learned.
According to a Knicks source, Jackson is asking for the third overall pick in Thursday's draft as well as next year's Brooklyn pick along with Jaylen Brown and Jae Crowder. This version of the deal would not include Boston taking on Joakim Noah's contract.
The Celtics feel the price is far too high but they are open to tweaking the deal to include just one draft pick, either this year's No. 3 or next year's Brooklyn pick.
OK, first off, that offer does not include Danny Ainge’s soul or a new ownership group, so I’m automatically declining this trade. But there’s maybe(?) a glimmer or two of hope here, first from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:
Knicks source on Phil right now: "he's dug in. If he doesn't get exactly what he wants, there will be no (Porzingis) trade."
And this from Celtics beat writer Steve Bulpett:
You'd think Celts and NY would be able to do business on Porzingis, but being told now nothing going on and nothing got close... We'll see.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 22, 2017
But then there’s this from ESPN’s Marc Stein:
The Celtics remain in trade pursuit of Kristaps Porzingis, league sources say, trying to assemble a package to meet the Knicks' demands.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 22, 2017
And then this from Ian Begley of ESPN:
Sources: BOS offered NYK its No. 3 pick, a player & an additional lottery pick that they think they can acquire tonight in a trade for KP.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2017
FWIW: It's no surprise that teams would make big offers for a young star. I'd still be very surprised if Knicks traded Porzingis. https://t.co/dXXHMasjh8
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2017
And a little weigh-in from Woj:
Sources: Several teams engaging with NY on Kristaps Porzingis - including Boston - are unwilling to meet Knicks demands for deal. So far.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 22, 2017
But at the very least, we can seemingly put the Suns rumors to bed:
The Suns haven't talked to the Knicks in quite some time, I'm told, and also have nothing doing on the LaMarcus Aldridge front.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 22, 2017
Hearing from several sources that nothing close to imminent between Knicks, Suns on potential Porzingis deal. Things can obviously change.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 22, 2017
Look, I’m not going to lie here, I’m worried as hell that the Knicks are going to trade Porzingis. But ultimately I’m just gonna chug a whole bottle of Pepto Bismol and let the day play out, since there’s nothing I can do about this situation. I hope you all can find the same peace.
Feel free to discuss in the comments, but for fuck’s sake please be civil.
UPDATE (4:49 p.m.): This Tweet-filled antacid comes from ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin:
Source familiar with the talks between NYK & BOS told ESPN that NY's demands for Porzingis are "ridiculous" ... https://t.co/k25yeNlLEp
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2017
Also, I'm told that the Celtics and Knicks haven't had any sort of progressing talks. They last spoke this morning and haven't revisited.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2017