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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the paint during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won111-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the paint during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won111-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis

Carmelo Anthony is the face of the New York Knicks, and that’s unlikely to change at any point in the immediate future. The long-term prognosis, however, is that Kristaps Porzingis will take over and lead the Knicks for the next decade-plus.

Whether or not that vision plays out according to plan, there’s no reason to even momentarily consider trading Porzingis.

Porzingis has been nicknamed, “The Unicorn,” by Kevin Durant. That’s no slight, as the playful name would suggest, but instead a measure of high praise for a player who, like a unicorn, is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

A 7’3″ power forward who has already made more 3-point field goals than any player his height or taller in NBA history, Porzingis has far too much potential to be included in a deal—no matter who would be coming in.

Porzingis’ first NBA season has become the stuff of legend, regardless of whether or not he wins Rookie of the Year. He’s thrown down monstrous putback dunks, emerged as a Top 10 shot-blocker, and sparked a massive turnaround that includes the Knicks already passing their win total from 2014-15.

If Phil Jackson were to give up on Porzingis after just 54 games, he’d be making a grave mistake.

Next: Oklahoma City Thunder