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05/01/2024 09:45:03 pm

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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Could Send Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick Rose to Pelicans for Anthony Davis

New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis

(Photo : Getty Images) Kristaps Porzingis could soon be traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.

There are NBA trade rumors hinting that the New York Knicks could send Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose to the New Orleans Pelicans in midseason to acquire disgruntled center Anthony Davis.

Porzingis, 21, is having a dismal sophomore season so far as rumors emerge that the Latvian big man is in "an apparent rift" with Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek.

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According to Sportsrageous, Hornacek has not been satisfied in Porzingis' performance, which made him decide to bench the outside-shooting power forward in the fourth quarter of games.

One incident was particularly mentioned in reports and it was when Hornacek did not utilize Porzingis in the final period of the Knicks' 118-99 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

Porzingis was reportedly upset about the benching, but Hornacek defended his decision after the game.

"Sometimes it's tough. The guy's 7-3,"  said Hornacek, according to New York Post. "He can do things that 6-7 guys can't do in terms of blocking shots. And 6-7 guys can do things he can't do, like closing out on guys."

"It's going to be a balance who's out there. He's not used to guarding other guys that size," he added. "We try not to put him in situations like that."

Porzingis responded by telling reporters that "I don't think my defense is bad, I think I can protect the rim and guard a guy like (Ryan) Anderson. At any point of game, I want to be on the floor and help the team defensively and offensively".

Meanwhile, there are also reports that Davis is frustrated about the Pelicans' current winless status as New Orleans is now 0-6 to start the season.

"Definitely frustrating," Davis said in a recent interview. "We can't get a win. It's frustrating."

With these two big men currently unhappy with their respective squads, speculations went out that a trade swapping Porzingis and Davis could happen before the February deadline.

Former NBA MVP Rose must be included in the deal, however, for salary matching purposes and ESPN's NBA Trade Machine has approved such a trade should the two teams decide to push it through.

Keep posted for more NBA trade rumors involving the New York Knicks.

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