Phil Jackson standing by parting shots for Carmelo

One day after the Knicks expressed their optimism that Kristaps Porzingis would be back with the team next season team president Phil Jackson reiterated his desire to move Carmelo Anthony.

Jackson, speaking to reporters in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine, would not discuss the rift between the team and Porzingis which came to a head with the 21-year-old franchise building block blowing off his exit interview with Jackson. But he defended his words from his own end of season press conference which drew a rebuke from the players association.

Last month Jackson spoke about his desire to trade Anthony, admitting it was best for the Knicks and explaining how he told Anthony that it would be better for him, too. Asked Friday if he thought Anthony could return to New York next season, he didn’t back off.

"He has a no trade contract,” Jackson said. “I think I expressed what I felt. I can't express it any better. I thought it was well-said, even though a lot of you didn't feel quite that way. But we'd like him to have success, the opportunity is narrowing. We'd just like him to have success somewhere. We're not going to be there. Hopefully we'll be maybe a playoff team next year. It would be tough to consider us possible champions.”

Sullivan: Question for Phil Jackson: 'What are you doing?'

That’s realistic, although not exactly optimistic for Knicks fans. Jackson said that he hadn’t spoken to Anthony since the exit interview, although he said that he had texted him and general manager Steve Mills did convey the team’s support when reports surfaced that Anthony’s marriage was in trouble.

“I’ve reached out to him in a text but not personally,” Jackson said. “Some personal things came out in the paper that was difficult. Wanted him to know we’re supportive of him.’’

Jackson told reporters that he spoke with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after the players association’s executive director Michele Roberts complained and that they were on the same page.

“To have a positive base to work from is really important, and our fan core is positive, and we like to give them hope because they’ve been disappointed,’’ Jackson said. “They weren’t disappointed 20 years ago when they went to The Finals. They were surprised in ’99. So it’s been a long time for hope for our fans. We want them to have hope. They’ve been bridesmaids but never a bride.”

While Knicks’ coach Jeff Hornacek spoke about Porzingis Thursday with reporters, Jackson would not continue the discussion.

“Rather than to bat this thing over the net back and forth between parties we’ll just leave it alone,” Jackson said. “Jeff said something yesterday and kind of expressed our feelings on it.”

Email: popper@northjersey.com