NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis To The Sixers For Ben Simmons?
Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks are still not on the same page heading into the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22 in Brooklyn. There are several trade rumors involving Porzingis but the Knicks seem to have no interest in parting ways with their future superstar. However, should the Knicks trade Kristaps if the Philadelphia 76ers offer someone like Ben Simmons?
In the recent Give and Go column of CSN Philadelphia, Sixers insiders, columnists, and reporters discuss the potential Kristaps Porzingis for Ben Simmons trade. It should be noted that the trade scenario is just a topic that was brought up during a meeting and the Knicks and Sixers are not officially talking about a deal.
The trade scenario has the Knicks trading Porzingis and the eight overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft to the Sixers in exchange for Simmons and the third overall selection. Sixers insider Jessica Camerato believes that Philly or any NBA team should entertain a Knicks trade offer involving Porzingis. Former CSN columnist Johnny Gonzalez agrees with Camerato because of the potential pairing of Porzingis with Joel Embiid.
On the other hand, reporters Paul Hudrick, Steven Tydings, and Matt Haughton are opposed to the Kristaps Porzingis for Ben Simmons trade. Hudrick pointed out the Simmons has been compared to Magic Johnson and it’s something the Sixers might regret in the future. Tydings added that Simmons is a better fit playing alongside Embiid and he believes that the Sixers will dominate the NBA with the two young stars.
Finally, Haughton said it best why the Knicks and Sixers are not going to trade Kristaps Porzingis and Ben Simmons. He pointed out some reasons why including being division rivals, the positive impact of Porzingis to New York and the health of Simmons, who has not played an NBA game yet.
“The Sixers wouldn’t trade Ben Simmons to a division rival so he could potentially bludgeon them four times a season for the next decade. Speaking of the Knicks, I’m almost positive they aren’t ready to give up on Porzingis at this point in time. Sure, there has been some contention with president Phil Jackson, but the Latvian is still New York’s best long-term building block and a big reason butts stay in those expensive seats for every game at Madison Square Garden.”
Kristaps Porzingis and the Knicks are not seeing eye-to-eye after a disastrous and disappointing season. Thomas Duffy of FanRag Sports chronicled the issues between Porzingis and the Knicks that include Kristaps skipping the exit meeting with Jackson, Porzingis planning to play for Latvia this summer, and a very frustrating meeting between Janis Porzingis and Jackson.
Add the fact that Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek not getting a reply from Porzingis when he tried communicating him. Finally, the Knicks fired assistant coach Josh Longstaff, who is considered to be the favorite coach of Porzingis. As long as the Knicks and Porzingis are having relationship problems, trade rumors are going to be rampant regarding the future of the 21-year-old star.
On the other hand, the Sixers are also involved in trade rumors but they are not about Ben Simmons but the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo revealed in an interview The Philadelphia Inquirer Daily News that he has received offers for the third overall pick and he is open to making a deal if it will help the team in the future.
“I think that should we move or if there’s a transaction that comes out that gives us a chance to perhaps increase what impact No. 3 can have in terms of its return, I think we will look at it. There’s some discussions that have been fairly interesting.”
The 2017 NBA Draft is still two weeks away but fans should expect more trade rumors involving picks, as well as Kristaps Porzingis, heading to the event on June 22. The draft is going to be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and it will be shown live on television by ESPN.
[Featured Image by Scott Halleran/Getty Images]
