The New York Knicks are probably going to look to build around Kristaps Porzingis if and when they move on from Carmelo Anthony, but what if the 21-year-old Latvian star decides he wants out of The Big Apple?
In a recent interview in his home country, Porzingis seemed to stop short of committing to the Knicks for the long-term. While he said he wants to remain in New York, the former fourth overall pick hinted that he is not going to re-sign with the Knicks if the team continues to struggle.
“Absolutely, I want to stay here all my career,” Porzingis told Latvian sports magazine Sporta Avize, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “But the thing I want most of all is winning. When the time comes, I will seriously start to think about it. Right now I just try to do my best.”
Porzingis, who averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in his second NBA season, has two years remaining on his rookie contract. His interview with Sporta Avize took place before he skipped his exit meeting with the Knicks, reportedly because he was upset with the drama surrounding the team. Porzingis alluded to that in the March 20 interview when discussing the tension between Anthony and Phil Jackson.
“This was a situation media did not hesitate to heat up more than it was in reality,” he said. “I think there was some mistakes from Phil — things he maybe shouldn’t [have] said or written, things that made the situation worse or made him not look good. But at the same time — it’s that kind of business. I understand.”
For what it’s worth, Porzingis told the New York Post last week that he loves New York and wants to remain with the Knicks. However, the way he subtly supported Anthony on social media recently could be very telling. The Knicks have a ton of issues heading into the offseason, and players are reportedly unhappy with the team’s offensive system. It would not be a stretch to assume Porzingis is among them.
