Phil Jackson must be feeling pretty good about himself right now. The New York Knicks team president certainly faced a lot of criticism when he opted to draft Kristaps Porzingis as boos rained down on him during the NBA Draft. However, through the start of the NBA season, Porzingis is looking like a sure-fire candidate for Rookie of the Year while being the future of the franchise. With his success, could the Knicks try and capitalize with trades of Derrick Williams or Kyle O'Quinn?
According to DailyKnicks.com, both Williams and O'Quinn have fallen out of favor for the Knicks right now. Williams has had a few breakout moments to start the year, but in general he and O'Quinn are seeing the bench more than the court. Since getting 24 points in 21 minutes in the season opener, Williams has barely been active, falling on the depth chart. It does not help that Lou Amundson has improved and Kevin Seraphin is now healthy and can also contribute solid minutes. Both Williams and O'Quinn signed in the offseason to very team-friendly contracts. If the Knicks need improvements elsewhere, expect both players to be shopped at the trade deadline.
The biggest thing hurting both players is the success of Robin Lopez and the rise and Porzingis. The power forward is looking more and more like the future of the franchise as he continues to thrive in big moments this season. He recently dropped a double-double against the Charlotte Hornets and everyone is being left impressed.
"Whether or not he'll be able to do this nightly, we don't know at this point," coach Derek Fisher said, via ESPN.com. "But because of the combination of skills and abilities, at some point, it's going to all come together."
That slight sliver of doubt is what will prevent the Knicks from making moves early on. Until Porzingis can prove consistency to the Knicks, the team will hold on to their current roster. However, if he continues on the path he is on, the Knicks could offer up depth in exchange for draft picks which they desperately need along with other help. Players like Williams or O'Quinn hold value in the league for the Knicks to work with. According to Porzingis, he is focused on long-term success, not short-term.
"Everybody was saying, 'project,' 'a few years,' I will get better in a few years, but I knew I was able to play right now," Porzingis said, via ESPN.com. "That's the career I want to have -- a long, successful career. I want to play here in New York for my whole career. That would be my dream."
