NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks won’t trade Kristaps Porzingis for Kyrie Irving

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates his basket in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates his basket in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

NBA Trade Rumors: The New York Knicks aren’t interested in any potential Kristaps Porzingis for Kyrie Irving trade packages

It was reported earlier this week that the Cleveland Cavaliers were looking for an elite young prospect as a centerpiece for any Kyrie Irving deal. For the New York Knicks, that likely means dealing Kristaps Porzingis if they’re willing to land the young all-star.

Although, that seems to be a deal breaker for the Knicks.

According to a report from Newsday, the New York Knicks don’t seem too interested in a Porzingis for Irving deal. Unless both sides have a change of heart – the Cavs in their asking price and Carmelo Anthony in his desire to waive his no-trade clause – a Kyrie Irving to New York trade seems to be unlikely.

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"[via Newsday]The Knicks don’t appear interested in trading Kristaps Porzingis, including a possible deal for Cavaliers All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, according to a league source…“In all the discussions since then — there were other rumors before that Cleveland would want Kristaps — and it didn’t seem that [the Knicks] were interested at all in a conversation.’’"

This is actually the Knicks playing the long game. Not only would trading Kristaps for Kyrie be a horizontal move, at best, but it would be a typical Knicks move – trading for the name.

Irving is a really good player. He’s probably a great player, depending on who you ask. Problem is, trading a unicorn for a player that is what he is wouldn’t be a great rebuilding move. The Knicks just drafted who they believe will be their point guard of the future, and who fits perfectly next to Porzingis.

While trading for Kyrie Irving seems like a good idea on the surface, it’s probably best for the Knicks to stick to the status quo – and that means developing their young players while finding a landing spot for Carmelo Anthony.

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If they can squeeze Kyrie away from the Cavs without losing Kristaps, fine. Although, now is not the time for New York to try to cheat their way to semi-relevance.