The New York Knicks have to be prepared to begin next season without their best player, as Kristaps Porzingis tore his ACL back in February and may not be fully cleared to play by October. But is there also a chance he could miss the entire 2018-2019 season?
Justine Ward of SNY caught up with Walt Frazier on Tuesday, and the Knicks legend said he does not envision Porzingis playing at all next season.
Also had a conversation with Walt Frazier about Kristaps Porzingis— he said he doesn’t see him playing next season AT ALL #Knicks
— Justine Ward (@JustineBWard) May 8, 2018
Of course, Frazier is not a doctor nor is he a member of the Knicks’ training staff. However, he is more connected to the franchise than the average person, so you have to wonder if something he has heard gives him a reason to think Porzingis’ recovery is not going well.
When Porzingis was diagnosed with a torn ACL, reports indicated he was expected to miss at least 10 months. That would bring him to December, which would be about two months after the start of the 2018-2019 regular season. Unless he somehow gets way ahead of schedule, Porzingis is almost certain to miss at least some time.
If Knicks fans really want a reason to be concerned, even team owner James Dolan said recently that he is unsure if Porzingis will miss all of next season. All of the reports we have heard to this point have not sounded all that encouraging, and Frazier’s prediction sounds even worse.
