![Kristaps Porzingis [Image via Flickr Media]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/9/24/660x290/b_502x220x82/kristaps-porzingis-flickr-media_1589237.jpg "Kristaps Porzingis [Image via Flickr Media]")
The New York Knicks have officially ushered in a new era after parting ways with 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. Anthony will be joining reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and All-Star wingman Paul George in that reloaded Thunder lineup, while incoming third-year big man Kristaps Porzingis will finally become the focal player on the rebuilding Knicks team.
The Melodrama ends
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN closely followed the end of Anthony’s seven-year stint in the Big Apple, and how his trade to Oklahoma transpired.
According to the veteran NBA insider, Knicks general manager Scott Perry contacted his former boss and Thunder GM Sam Presti, the moment Anthony included two more teams, other the Houston Rockets, to his list of preferred destinations.
The Knicks had been under contract with the Thunder’s front-office for a potential blockbuster deal for weeks, but talks intensified with training camp looming in the picture. Perry, who has a close relationship with Presti and assistant general manager Troy Weaver, wanted no part of the circus that would befall the Knicks once Melo arrives on media day.
So despite not getting the desired trade package for the star player, the Knicks front-office eventually decided to ship Anthony to Oklahoma in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a second-round pick the Thunder acquired in a trade with the Bulls last February.
As for the runner-up in the Melo sweepstakes, Woj noted the Houston Rockets were willing to trade Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon for Anthony but the Knicks rebuffed the offer, while the Cleveland Cavaliers offered Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye without the coveted Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick.
A New Era
Coming off an impressive stint with Latvia at EuroBasket 2017, Porzingis will arrive into training camp as the new face of the franchise.
The former no.4 overall pick is expected to take his game to a new level with him becoming the team’s primary option on offense. The 7-foot-2 sensation averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 32 minutes per game while shooting 45 percent FG, 36 percent from the 3-point area, and 79 percent from FT line last season.
With Kanter and McDermott coming in, the Knicks surround Porzingis with two more solid NBA players for next season’s campaign. Kanter, who averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, gives the team with much-needed rebounding and low-post scoring. McDermott provides floor-spacing in the Knicks’ new offense, and will likely replace Anthony in the starting lineup. Regardless of the upcoming changes on the roster, the Knicks begin a new chapter in their franchise with Porzingis as the man.
