Knicks Coach Jeff Hornacek On Kristaps Porzingis: ‘I Don’t See Him Going Anywhere’
The Phil Jackson-run, New York Knicks, is now a thing of the past. The legendary coach turned team president has been fired by the storied franchise, and now the Knicks brass is cleaning up the mess starting with the relationship with Kristaps Porzingis.
Jackson made it clear to the public that Carmelo Anthony was on the trading block in New York and Porzingis might have been as well. Rumors surfaced of the team’s willingness to talk about a trade to send Kristaps elsewhere, but now those can be put to rest in the post-Jackson era.
Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek recently said the following about his star forward, via ESPN’s Ian Begley:
“I think it was out there that Phil was listening, but he wasn’t out shopping KP. We love KP and what he does, so I don’t see him going anywhere,” Hornacek said on Sunday afternoon after the Knicks’ Summer League game.
Although it was a stretch in the first place that the Knicks would trade Porzingis, Hornacek may have put many fans of the franchise at ease with his statement after Jackson’s celebrated departure from the organization.
Anthony, however, may be another story altogether. New York may continue to pursue ways to unload Carmelo or at least get him to waive his no-trade clause. There has been talk of a potential buyout making Anthony a free agent, but it seems as though he doesn’t want to leave New York, especially since he has all the power with the clause.
If Anthony does ultimately get bought out, the Cleveland Cavaliers or Houston Rockets will be ready and waiting to swoop him up for next season at a considerable discount.