Knicks wanted to dump Joakim Noah in potential Kristaps Porzingis trade

Phil Jackson wanted to add Joakim Noah’s albatross contract to any potential Kristaps Porzingis trade.

Did Joakim Noah delay a potential Kristaps Porzingis trade? It appears that’s possible, according to the latest reports. The dysfunction in New York doesn’t appear to be going away as Porzingis appears to be very much on the trade block. While the Knicks currently hold a high price for the 7-foot-3 Latvian, New York is listening.

Ian Begley of ESPN had the following on the Porzingis rumblings.

"“Sources told Ramona Shelburne and I that Noah’s name came up in multiple discussions about possible Porzingis trades with Jackson and the Knicks looking to send out the remainder of the four-year, $72 million contract that he signed last offseason.”"

The Porzingis trade rumors didn’t stop there. Somehow Jimmy Butler might have factored into this decision. Boston wrestled with the Timberwolves about their seventh overall pick, a pick that was later flipped for Butler. If the Timberwolves had dealt that pick to Boston, the C’s and Knicks may have found common ground on a trade.

"“Butler factored in because one of the many offers discussed between Boston and the Knicks, per sources, included Boston’s third pick, a second 2017 lottery pick and an additional player (Jaylen Brown, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart were among the names discussed).That second lottery pick was supposed to be acquired via trade — and members of the Celtics organization viewed Minnesota’s No. 7 pick as attainable, sources say.”"

Next: 5 Kristaps Porzingis trades that would destroy the Knicks

While the Knicks may not be actively shopping Porzingis, the trade is still very much on the table even after the draft concluded. With the turmoil in New York between Phil Jackson and their star player, it’s unclear what the future is for Porzingis.