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Jackson confidant: Melo drama has influenced Porzingis

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Just as rumors that the New York Knicks would consider trading Kristaps Porzingis were being put to bed, they took on a whole new life Wednesday night with Phil Jackson's candid confession that he was listening to offers for him.

The Knicks president admitted he was angry with Porzingis for skipping exit interviews in April, sending the New York media and fan base into an apoplectic orbit. Not long after, Jackson confidant Charley Rosen penned his latest piece for FanRag Sports, entitled "The pros and cons of a Kristaps Porzingis trade."

In it, Rosen asserts that Porzingis has complained about how poorly the Knicks organization treats its players, adding that "(Carmelo Anthony's) in-house dissatisfactions have unduly influenced Porzingis."

Content aside, the article was met with near-universal skepticism almost immediately. Rosen is a former coaching colleague of Jackson from the old Continental Basketball Association, and has written several favorable pieces on the Knicks president.

Related: Phil Jackson says to Knicks fans, 'I think we know what we're doing'

In January, the Anthony drama ramped into overdrive following Rosen's missive that Melo would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Clippers or Cavaliers. Anthony strenuously denied the report, insinuating it came from Jackson himself. From that point on, the derision between executive and franchise player has festered, leading to what's expected to be Anthony's inevitable trade.

Prior to being drafted in 2015, Porzingis made it clear his preference was to play for the Knicks, and the 7-foot-3 forward has appeared to be a willing learner under Anthony's wing.

However, the swirl of antics around Madison Square Garden this season - from the Melo drama to Charles Oakley's feud with much-maligned owner James Dolan - appears to have been a test of the Latvian's patience. Porzingis declined to say why he skipped the exit interview with Jackson.

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