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New York Knicks: 5 questions on Phil Jackson’s departure

By Jonathan Macri

Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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If nothing else, Jackson’s departure virtually guarantees that Kristaps Porzingis isn’t going anywhere, not only now but for the foreseeable future. KP’s people know what New York does for his brand, and they should be perfectly happy to stay now that the ringmaster is taking his circus out of town.

The big question mark, of course, is Anthony.

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His actions of late would seem to be those of a man who wanted to stick it to his boss. On one hand, he claims to be refusing to waive his no trade clause because he wants to remain close to his son. On the other hand, his people have been rumored to be seeking a buyout.

The only logical explanation is that Melo didn’t want to give Jackson the satisfaction of getting him out of town on Phil’s terms. Without that incentive, what Melo decides to do is still an unknown.

There is no scenario which results in the Knicks competing for anything other than more lottery balls next year. There are several teams within a stone’s throw of New York – Boston and Washington, to name two- that will be competitive next year and could conceivably make a deal for Anthony work. Cleveland obviously looms large.

A Quiet Summer

The Melo saga likely won’t get resolved until after the Paul George and free agency dominoes fall.

Speaking of free agency, the timing of the move also likely prevents the Knicks from making a sizable splash . Already with limited space to work with (about $16 million after Justin Holiday’s cap hold), the Knicks didn’t figure to be in the running for any of the major free agent point guards. If Jackson had been let go earlier and another GM had time to get creative, that might not have been the case.

Regardless, the Knicks now have a point guard of the future. The question is whether they drafted the right one.

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