Some teams with picks ahead of the Knicks have reached out to members of the organization to gauge their interest on trading up to draft Michael Porter Jr., league sources say. -Ian Begley, ESPN Staff Writer.

It is no secret that the Knicks have the hots for Michael Porter Jr., who is one of the most head scratching players in this year’s draft. We all know what MPJ is capable of doing on the court…or do we? Are we just assuming he can do the things he did in high school and on the FIBA U18 National Team? The over-analytical person in me says he can’t. The normal dude who loves basketball in me who uses his gut to make opinions says yes, he can.

When I first started watching MPJ I thought he was going to be the next big thing. I wanted my Knicks to tank for him. I mean how could you not want your team to tank for that dude? An athletic wing who is barely under 6’11 with a 7’0 wingspan and has a gorgeous jumper. Oh yeah, he was the #1 recruit out of HS until Bagley re-classified. You guys know all that though.

It got ruined when he got hurt and I just can’t shake the injury now. I want to look past it so bad because I see what he can potentially be. But trading up in this year’s draft almost certainly means that it’s going to involve next year’s first too. Nope, I’m out on that. The Knicks can just stay at #9, hopefully get Mikal Bridges, (take a look at my Bridges blog), and be set up for a top pick next year because without KP, they’ll be battling for the #1 pick. Top pick next year means R.J. Barrett. That may seem like a stretch but it isn’t really that far-fetched. A top 3 pick is basically a mortal lock for the Knicks next year, yes, mortal lock. Mikal Bridges, R.J. Barrett and KP on the Knicks for the 2019-2020 season? Instead of MPJ and Porzingis; because in order to trade up they’d have to give up next year’s first too. Yup sign me up.

Don’t trade up for MPJ, Knicks. Don’t do it.

Photo by: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports