Kristaps Porzingis rumors: Knicks’ asking price may be too much for the Celtics
By Trey Daubert
The Boston Celtics are trying to put together a trade package to meet the Knicks demands for Kristaps Porzingis. It may not be enough.
Will we see a unicorn sighting in Boston in 2017? It appears the Celtics may be ready to cash in on some of those beloved assets for a chance to reel in a star player. With the Knicks shopping Kristaps Porzingis, Boston is trying their best to meet the asking price in a potential deal.
Marc Stein of ESPN had the following on Boston’s pursuit of Porzingis.
The Celtics remain in trade pursuit of Kristaps Porzingis, league sources say, trying to assemble a package to meet the Knicks' demands.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2017
Boston can certainly offer the most creative package. The Celtics have an interesting mix of solid veteran players and abundance of draft picks to offer. No one can top the C’s offer if the team decides to push their chips in the center of the table. Players like Jaylen Brown, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas, and Jae Crowder could be potential options in a deal for New York.
However, additional reporting implies that the price may just be too high for the Celtics.
Knicks asking the Celtics for the moon....and two Brooklyn picks. https://t.co/IMUsuq2ehR
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) June 22, 2017
There are also reports that Boston is looking to add another pick to try and come up and meet New York’s asking price.
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
The Knicks could be possibly looking at Lauri Markkanen as a replacement for Porzingis with the No. 8 pick. Phil Jackson reportedly also has his sights set on Josh Jackson, who could be had in a deal with Boston. The Celtics hold the third overall pick and could relinquish the draft rights to Jackson if the Knicks pull the trigger on a deal.
Porzingis, 21, would be a tough player to trade as a future star in the league. From skipping an exit meeting to firing Porzingis’ favorite assistant coach, something odd is happening in New York. The fact that every team in the league seems to be falling over themselves to trade for Porzingis tells us all we need to know about his value.
Next: 5 unfortunately plausible Kristaps Porzingis trades that would destroy the Knicks
The 7-foot-3 big man from Latvia averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his second career NBA season.