**Knicks’ Trade for 36-Year-Old Draft Prospect Amuses Retired Player**
On Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks made a draft day trade involving center Ariel Hukporti, guard Petteri Koponen, and cash going to the Knicks in exchange for forward Melvin Ajinça. While Hukporti and Ajinça were newly drafted, Koponen was originally drafted 30th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2007.
Koponen, who has had a successful European career playing in Finland, Italy, Russia, Spain, and Germany, is now retired and set to serve as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in the Summer League. Despite his new coaching role, Koponen found humor in the trade and shared his amusement on social media.
“Honored (New York), but I’m still going to honor my commitment with (the Spurs),” he wrote. “Of course, a financially ridiculous offer could change things. + I got the new hip! I’m ready!”
Had Koponen played in the NBA, he would have been the second Finnish-born player in the league after Hanno Möttölä, with Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen later taking that title.
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