Fansided

Who won and lost in the Carmelo Anthony trade?

By Joe Romano

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts after he is called for a foul 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: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts after he is called for a foul 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) /
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Kristaps Porzingis
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

Winner: Kristaps Porzingis

The young star, Kristaps Porzingis, is the first winner of this trade.

He is now the clear-cut number one option in New York. The former top-five pick is the perfect modern big man for the NBA. He is a true stretch big with the ability to stroke from three while providing the desperate rim protection so many other stretch bigs lack.

Porzingis gets to have the offense run through him for the first time in his young career. While Anthony was a great player and dominant scorer the two never really meshed. Porzingis can truly play in any system with his unique skill set. What he struggles with his ball-stopping. That would be Anthony’s number one trait.

With Anthony and former point guard Derrick Rose gone, the Knicks are truly entering the Porzingis era. The Latvian will pair with other young Knicks Tim Hardaway Jr., Willy Hernangomez and first round pick Frank Ntilikina.

Now that the Knicks are solely focused on their new roster without Anthony, it will be interesting to see how the front office handles the upcoming season. Will they embrace the youth movement or try to package some players for another piece?

Either way, Porzingis will get to have his team, the way it should be. The kid is too special to not be the focal point of an offense. If his European performances are any indicator, a leap can be in store for year three.

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