Baseball: Needing a storyline.

I used to be a baseball fan, before any other sport. And I still like following it. But right now, it doesn't hold the interest of sports fans the way basketball and football do.

There's a part of me that thinks baseball needs a villain- and that Bryce Harper might be the best person to fit that role.

Harper is a free agent- and people thought he'd be the first $300 million dollar player. But as of today, no one has signed him. And the fact that no one is upset that he hasn't been signed is part of the problem.

Imagine if he signed a one year deal with the Yankees for a bargain basement price and point blank said, "If the owners aren't going to pay me what I'm worth, I'm going to get a title- something Washington couldn't do- and keep doing so until the fans and owners smarten up about by worth."

He won't- for some very good reasons- but that would make Harper THE story for baseball for 2019. Because right now, baseball needs something to attract the attention of the public.

NBA: Porzingis trade thoughts

The Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks along with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee, the team announced Thursday.

New York will receive second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews in the deal, as well as two future first-round draft picks. Jordan and Matthews are expiring contracts.

This is a big trade.  Porzingis is called a 'Unicorn', because he's 7'3" and can shoot from three point range.  He's an incredible player- but he's also been injured.

People are raking the Knicks over the coals for this deal- but I actually think they did well here.  They have enough salary to sign two max free agents this summer- and the summer of 2019 is LOADED.

I'm sure their dream is to sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.  But let's say they can't get either one.  Still on the table are:

• Kawhi Leonard
• Klay Thompson
• Jimmy Butler
• Kemba Walker
• DeMarcus Cousins

The point is, they will sign two excellent players.  In addition, they have one of the three worst records in the NBA- which means that right now, they have as good of a chance as anyone to get Zion Williamson.

So to the Knicks, in a perfect world their starting lineup next year would include Durant, Kyrie, and Zion.  But say they don't get any luck- next year's lineup still could include Jimmy Butler, RJ Barrett, and Kemba Walker.  In the East?  That's a contender.  Not to mention the draft picks from Dallas.

As for Dallas?  I love this trade- _IF_ Porzingis stays healthy.  But that's a big question mark- and if he can't stay healthy, this could blow up for them badly.  

I like this trade for both teams- but I think the Knicks have a lower risk here.