On its face, obviously the Knicks trading the face of their franchise looks bad. But the deal could turn out to be pretty smart. While the Wolves are my #1, and have been, I became a fan of them by watching them play the Knicks in the 1989-90 season. So I've always considered the Knicks my #2 team, and of course, hometown team.
Here is why I think the trade is actually smart:
1. KP was NOT happy with what he saw with the Knicks. He saw all the losing, saw the way Enes Kanter was being phazed out, didn't like lots of little things. He was likely going to walk. The Knicks knew that, and knew that if they wanted to get more from him leaving than a pick (which would be the compensation from KP being a restricted FA instead of an unrestricted FA), they needed to do a deal.
2. The Knicks realized that they simply don't have their PG of the future on the roster. By getting Dennis Smith Jr., who has had a tough sophmore year, but clear was the PG the Knicks SHOULD have drafted, they correct a mistake, and I think DSJr. is going to be really good in New York.
3. You open up TWO max salary slots, because Jordan and Matthews are FAs after this year, and you've ridded yourself of a horrendous deal with Tim Hardaway Jr.
4. With two open max slots, a core of DSJr., Kevin Knox, Alonzo Trier, Mitchell Robinson, in the EAST, you slide in two big name FA (say Durant and Irving).
5. IF that happens, then you have this:
Robinson
Durant
Knox
Dennis Smith Jr. (would have to slide to the 2)
Kyrie Irving
>>>That starting 5, plus Alonzo Trier and some bench depth, gets you in the top-5 in the East.
6. IF the Knicks also end up getting the #1 pick (I think Jordan and Matthews will be bought out and waived), you add Zion Williamson to that mix. Then you have:
C - Robinson
PF - Williamson
SF - Durant
SG - Knox
PG - Irving
6th - DSJr (combo guard)
>>>That could compete for the East title. In as little as a year.
Now, that's a SHIT TON of "ifs." And I don't really think its going to happen that way. Let me repeat that -- I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. Those are best case scenarios. But Porzingis was going to leave, period. So the Knicks maximized what they could get, and set themselves up to be fiscally solid for the future as well, and major players moving forward. I think it was a brilliant move. But the optics of it are TERRIBLE.
The Wolves fan in me hates this. To think if KP resigns with the Mavs, seeing KP and Doncic, five times a year or whatever? Ugh.
But the Knicks, knowing KP was going to likely leave, made the absolute right move, even if it looks horrendous.