One never knows what might happen — Blake Griffin could soon be on the trade market after another Los Angeles Clippers playoff disaster. But with limited locations available based on Anthony’s leverage, trading him might not land anything close to a commensurate return, especially factoring in two-season salary-cap hits of about $29 million and $31 million, including a $9 million trade kicker the new team would be responsible for.

Worse, perhaps, would be the environment Anthony would leave behind, the crux of Van Gundy’s case.

“You talk about starting over, developing a young team around Porzingis, but one of the things that’s always overlooked about player development is playing meaningful games,” Van Gundy said. “Even if you don’t make the playoffs, what’s essential for guys like Porzingis is to be playing in games that count, instead of just playing out a season like they did this year.”

Exhibit A — although a worst-case scenario — would be Jahlil Okafor’s rookie misadventures in Philadelphia this season without a veteran performer to lean on. Anthony was a surprisingly soft pillar and one the amiable Porzingis seemed to genuinely enjoy playing with.

“Whatever you think about the triangle, it is a pass-first offense, and Carmelo, I think, influenced Porzingis well,” Van Gundy said. “I also think that Porzingis, because of the unselfish way he plays, influenced Carmelo well.”

When asking why Anthony would stay if Jackson fares comparably in the coming free-agent market to how he did last summer — and with no real assurance of high-stakes postseason games anytime soon — you always begin with Anthony’s obvious delight at being the brand-name basketball star at Madison Square Garden.

Then there is Porzingis, who, of course, could plateau for a season or two before reaching the threshold of stardom. But with Anthony embracing a more versatile approach as his body lectures him on its limits, Porzingis could also become an exception to developmental rule and emerge as Anthony’s co-star by next season.