New York Knicks all-star forward Carmelo Anthony is upset with team president Phil Jackson for his decision to draft Kristaps Porzingis, reports Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The Knicks took the seven-foot-one Porzingis with the fourth-overall pick of Thursday’s NBA Draft and although he’s supposed to have a very high upside, Anthony was reportedly upset because the Latvian forward would have to take time to develop and become a contributor.
“Are we supposed to wait two or three years for this guy?” Anthony reportedly told a close friend.
Anthony, 31, is entering year two of a five-year, $124-million contract and, according to the report, says he felt “betrayed” by Jackson for his decision to go with Porzingis as well as trading away Tim Hardaway Jr. for the draft rights to No. 19 pick Jerian Grant.
The eight-time all-star had season-ending knee surgery in February.
As upset as Anthony reportedly is, the Porzingis pick may have disappointed the Knicks fan base even more, as the crowed showered the 19-year-old with boos as he made his way to the stage to meet with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Popular ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith also criticized Jackson’s decision, suggesting there were more ready-made players like Emmanual Mudiay and Justise Winslow available for the Knicks to help out Anthony immediately.
