Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Trade and Roster Rumors: Cavs Want Kristaps Porziņģis in Potential Kyrie Irving Trade
Looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers have set their sights on a certain big man with a unique skill set.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers have made Kristaps Porziņģis their primary target in Kyrie Irving trade talks with the New York Knicks. There's one caveat, though. To acquire Porziņģis, the Cavaliers have to be willing to absorb Joakim Noah's hefty contract and he's owed $55 million over the next three years.
However, Newsday has reported that the Knicks are not interested in moving their young star because they want him to be one of their franchise cornerstones as they build toward the future.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"[Knicks president] Steve Mills and [Knicks general manager] Scott Perry on the record were very clear that Kristaps was part of the future. In all the discussions since then — there were other rumors before that Cleveland would want Kristaps — and it didn't seem that [the Knicks] were interested at all in a conversation," a source told Newsday.
Still, a deal may still possible, and Wojnarowski did mention that teams around the league are wondering if the Knicks will eventually give in and change their stance.
"For the right All-Star player, though — Irving or otherwise — multiple NBA teams are seriously questioning how emphatic of a 'no' that will stay for New York," Wojnarowski said.
The Knicks have fielded offers for Porziņģis before the draft, but trade discussions have ceased when Phil Jackson left the franchise. Will they put him back on the trading block to acquire Irving?
Irving's unwillingness to commit to any team (aside from the San Antonio Spurs) beyond the next two seasons has clearly hurt his trade value. Teams have been reluctant to give up their top young assets because of the All-Star point guard's noncommittal stance, so one has to wonder if the Knicks will seriously consider trading Porziņģis.
