Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Examples to Finding a ‘Real’ Plan to the Rebuild

Example Two: Acting Swiftly

Another example of the well-planned leadership now in the New York Knicks’ favor is the handling of the recent Kristaps Porzingis trade.

Here is a guy still sidelined with a torn ACL, yet after meeting with Perry/Mills back in February, was traded within minutes. As a result, the Knicks received maximum value for a promising but largely unproven star talent who had yet to appear in the NBA Playoffs despite playing in the Eastern Conference.

A big part of this reason is that New York handled the situation swiftly and executed, which meant they were already a step ahead of the situation before it cost them anything. As a result, they cleared $75 million in cap space while dumping over $40 million in annual salaries to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Porzingis.

In getting back two first-round Draft picks, New York also landed the addition of Dennis Smith Jr. — another very recent top-10 pick as well as a prospect who is also proving to be very marketable.

To top it all off, the Knicks also received DeAndre Jordan, an All-Star defensive-minded center in the very prime of his career. He is also playing on an expiring contract, which is nice for them in case things go south.

Another catch to Jordan is that he is good friends with the Knicks’ top free-agent target in Kevin Durant. DeAndre Jordan is a guy almost any superstar would insist remain on the team if they sign with them. Add that factor with the successful drafting of not only first-round selection Kevin Knox, second-round steal Mitchell Robinson, and the undrafted gem Allonzo Trier.

Wow!

The crazy thing is they did all of this within two years without giving up a first-round Draft pick in any way. Now that is turning toilet water into Ciroc to say the least. At the current rate, Perry/Mills may have to write a book on how to build a franchise from scratch.