The good news for the Knicks is that Spurs coach/president Gregg Popovich likes Knicks young point guard Frank Ntilikina a lot. The bad news for the Knicks is, Popovich also loves Kristaps Porzingis — whose inclusion is probably the only way a Kawhi Leonard deal gets done.
According to sources, Knicks brass was interested in pursuing Spurs forward Leonard as a free agent in 2019. But now it looks like Leonard could hit the trade market after a series of reports stated he wants out of San Antonio.
While the Knicks would have to kick the tires, as they still don’t have a starting small forward on their roster, it seems unfathomable to include Porzingis in a deal for a player who has had serious knee/quadriceps issues the past two seasons.