What about packaging Porzingis and Melo this summer for the Brooklyn pick, Crowder, and other assets?
Let's say something like Porzingis, Melo, and the 2017 New York pick (around 6-8) for Crowder, Rozier, Yab, the 2017 Brooklyn pick (probably have to be number one or two overall), and the Memphis pick. We'd have to agree to this deal at the draft, pick for each other, then make the trade when we have cap space this summer, but it's certainly doable.
That's a pretty fair deal for both sides I think. It gives the Knicks a good "reset" with a good core moving forward, and it gives us an upgrade this year while not compromising the future of our team. I really like Porzingis' fit with this current group, and he'd fit well with our young core, too. That'd give us the following lineup:
PG: IT, Smart
SG: AB, Monk (picked with the New York pick - love his potential fit between Smart and Brown)
SF: Melo, Brown
PF: Porzingis, KO or JJ (resigned)
C: Horford, Zizic
That's a championship caliber roster right there, and Melo's contract timeline works perfectly for Brown becoming a starter. Also that young core of Smart, Monk, Brown, Porzingis, and Zizic (not to mention the 2018 Brooklyn pick) is probably the best young core in the NBA and certainly challenges the other young cores in Minny, Philly, and LA.
I think Phil would ultimately really consider this deal for two reasons: 1) this would give him an ideal starting point for a reset with a franchise cornerstone with the first or second pick in the draft, and 2) this is probably a trade that Melo agrees to, which gets him out of New York and away from Phil.
Would you do it?
EDIT: They might want Zizic over Yab to make it work, but I'd probably still do that.