Knicks forward reportedly unhappy with team’s draft pick

New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony reportedly expressed his displeasure Thursday night with team president Phil Jackson’s decision to draft 7-foot-1 big man Kristaps Porzingis.

Anthony, in a phone conversation with former teammate Tim Hardaway Jr., who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, questioned Jackson’s decision to select the 19-year-old Porzingis because he may not be ready to contribute immediately, according to New York Daily News and ESPN sources.

“I (was) talking to my sources last night. All they said was, he’s furious, he’s livid. He feels completely hoodwinked and betrayed by Phil Jackson,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Friday on SiriusXM Radio. “He feels like he was lied to, like he was sold a bill of goods. And he’s willing to concede that he wanted his money. But he didn’t know it was going to be like this. He didn’t know it was going to be this bad. And he can’t believe that his second season under the Phil Jackson regime, he has to look forward to it being worse than even last year was.”

Jackson told ESPN that he texted with Anthony on Thursday night about the pick.

“Carmelo is always on my mind,” Jackson said Friday. “He’s our favorite son. At this point in his life, that’s the way it should be. But the second-most important thing is what we do for this franchise. And that has to be a consideration.

“And I let Melo know that as we made this choice. He actually sat in during KP’s workout for a few minutes. … We anticipate it’s going to be (a significant period of development) regardless of whether we have a 19-year-old KP or a 19-year-old whomever. They’re still young players.”

Anthony, who turned 31 on May 29, had season-ending knee surgery in February and will be ready by the start of training camp. Last year, Anthony signed a five-year, $124 million deal, shunning offers from the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers in the process.

The Knicks are trying to rebuild after winning just 17 games in Jackson’s first full season as team president.

Knicks fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn booed after Porzingis’ name was called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“Lot of fans weren’t happy they drafted me,” Porzingis said Thursday night. “I have to do everything in my hands to turn those booing fans into clapping fans. I was happy about it. Want to be part of this organization. The fans are harsh sometimes. That’s how it is in New York, and I’m ready for it.”

Porzingis averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and one block in 33 games for Cajasol Seville in the Spanish league during the 2014-15 season. He also averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for Cajasol Seville in 16 Eurocup games.