Knicks Rumors: Latest Buzz on Kristaps Porzingis Trade, Carmelo Anthony and More

Despite the overall craziness of the NBA right now, the New York Knicks might be the most unpredictable element in the entire league.

The Knicks and former team president Phil Jackson only have themselves to blame.

In the early throes of the offseason, both Carmelo Anthony's and Kristaps Porzingis' names have popped up in countless speculation. The front office ended up drafting Frank Ntilikina to mixed reactions and now heads to free agency with questions continuing to swirl around the team's most important pieces.

To make matters even more chaotic, confirmation that Jackson and the Knicks have parted ways came Wednesday, per the Knicks website.

With so much up in the air surrounding the Knicks, let's take a moment to break down some of the most important rumblings making the rounds ahead of free agency.

Plotting a Rose Return?

Aaron Gash/Associated Press

To say Derrick Rose didn't work out with the Knicks last year would be a gross understatement.

Rose only appeared in 64 games, about as many as expected, and averaged 18.0 points and 4.4 assists on 47.1 percent shooting. But most might've found the Knicks making a move for him odd from the start—Rose needs the ball in his hands, which doesn't mesh too well with Anthony and stifles Porzingis.

Despite the anticipated issues, ESPN.com's Ian Begley reported the Knicks have a serious interest in bringing Rose back, though only under certain conditions.

"Sources say the Knicks have discussed several different scenarios with regard to filling the void at point guard—both in free agency and via trade. The Knicks aren't interested in paying large salaries for any free agent, which may be a sticking point in potential discussions with Rose and his agent, B.J. Armstrong," Begley wrote.

It's interesting to hear the Knicks consider there to be a slot needing filled at the point, yet they also don't want to spend big on it. If the front office chooses to rebuild, Ntilikina should fill up plenty of minutes. If not, a veteran like Rose would come into play but probably demand more than the Knicks want to pay.

Or to summarize, it's a fitting personification of the Knicks right now. Rose returning isn't close to a guarantee—he has had his issues, but it's easy to forget the former MVP is only 28 years old. There will be a sizeable market there from teams on the hunt for a backup.

Porzingis Rumors Resurface

Here's the problem with Jackson even publicly even joking about trading Porzingis—now the rumors will never die no matter what the team or the player says.

Jackson created a monster by apparently getting upset over Porzingis skipping season-ending meetings, to the point where he talked openly about the idea of a trade.

Nothing came of it, though now Marc Berman of the New York Post hears this isn't necessarily a done ordeal:

"But if things don't go smoothly in the next several months, Jackson may entertain trade offers again, knowing Porzingis will be entering the final year of his contract after next season. According to an NBA source, Jackson is concerned about Porzingis' long-term viability with the organization after blowing off the exit meeting without notification. He regarded it as an act of insubordination."

It's a rather stunning development. Teams vary in how they view something like skipping a meeting, and if the Knicks feel strongly enough about it, they could've slapped a fine on Porzingis and moved on.

Instead, the Knicks have been quite vocal and public with this issue. Using the media to stress a behavioral point to a player is an odd approach—and quite the gamble, as teams would surely love to poke around the idea of stealing Porzingis via trade considering he's all of 21 years old and coming off a season in which he averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.

In reality, the Knicks were going to have the mentioned contract dilemma with Porzingis down the line either way. But as of right now this all feels like noise because he's the centerpiece of the rebuild. Winning games keeps everyone happy, so it's on the front office to make the right decisions in the coming months and years.

The Anthony Saga

Funnily enough, some of the apparent discord from Porzingis might stem from the fact he doesn't like how Jackson has publicly treated his teammate, Carmelo.

After all, Jackson took plenty of heat for this comment recently, according to Begley: "We've not been able to win with [Anthony] on the court at this time. I think the direction with our team is that he's a player that would be better off somewhere else and using his talent somewhere where he can win or chase that championship."

Like elsewhere, these sorts of comments have publicly stoked the flames and fueled speculation Anthony might eventually seek a way to bolt.

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, he has:

It's hard not to find humor in a situation like this. Jackson has made it quite clear he doesn't view Carmelo as a piece of the rebuild. Carmelo seeks a potential way out. Jackson and or the Knicks don't like the avenue because they don't get anything in return for his departure.

Anthony has always stressed he wants to finish his career with the Knicks. But if it doesn't happen, one has to think the man will go ring-chasing, hence a rumor from Stein recently suggesting the Cleveland Cavaliers might target him if he's bought out.

But the Knicks have slapped themselves in an impossible situation—the rest of the league now knows a buyout is possible. And for those few select teams Anthony might actually waive a no-trade clause for, why give up anything at all?

Maybe the Knicks end up getting something for the 33-year-old forward they've worked hard to distance themselves from right now. Maybe not. But taking all the above into account, the Knicks could look quite a bit different going into next season than most would've dared predict.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.