Kristaps Porzingis wants to remain in New York, but he places winning above location on his list of preferences, as Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “Absolutely, I want to stay here all my career,’’ Porzingis said. “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.”
The big man was asked if he would consider another franchise when he is eligible for free agency if that organization gave him a better chance to win. He responded by saying it was a possibility, as ESPN.com relays. The 21-year-old has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
Porzingis is currently in Latvia and he’ll remain there for most of the summer. He spent time there last season as well and Mubarak Malik, who is the Knicks’ director of performance, visited the big man to provide him with a training program. Other members of the organization also spent time with Porzingis abroad last summer, but it’s unclear if the team will take the same approach this year, as Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports (ESPN Now link).
The Knicks haven’t spoken to Porzingis since he blew off his exit meeting with Phil Jackson. The big man reportedly was upset with the organizational chaos and that was the reason he stood Jackson up.
Porzingis announced today that he will play for his the Latvian national team in the European championships, something the Knicks had previously recommended him not to do. It appears that he didn’t inform the NBA club of his plans prior to making the announcement. “Kristaps is in a position to decide for himself on playing for the national side,” his brother Janis Porzingis said. By rule, NBA teams are not allowed to dictate participation in international events, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. However, many franchises have conversations with its players and make its position known.
One of New York’s concerns with Porzingis playing for his country’s team is the risk of injury. Porzingis’ camp did attempt to alleviate the organization’s concern. “In terms of insurance, we have agreed with the Latvian Basketball Association for the covering of the required amount,” Janis Porzingis said. “I cannot disclose the amount.”
The former No. 4 overall pick promises to report to the Knicks training camp in September, but until then, his focus is on his national team. “My third season is still far away,” He said. “The main thing is to put in a lot of work during the summer to be ready, first for national team, then for next season. The European championships ends before the official NBA camp starts, so I have enough time to turn back to New York. I’ll be there on time.”
Like porzings however if that how he treats the team , TRADE his ass .
So rather than fixing your organization, you would trade away their best player?
treat his team how? give it his all every game but get mad when he hates losing and how management handling things. no player should like how phil running the team.
This comment is exactly why the knicks have sucked for so many years.
the problem isnt Porzingis its the dysfunctional overmatched management/ownership of the Knicks….theyre all freakin stupid….they dont care about whats best for the team because they sell out every corporate seat whether the Knicks are good or not…..So they have no reason to change…I hope Porzingis leaves and signs with a real organization like the Spurs…Dolan sucks!!!
Fck this stupid rebuild and trade that big baffoon, we dont wanna wait 3-4 years to compete for rings. Keep Melo and surround him with a cast he could actually take somewhere.
Ridiculous comment in every sense.
so who exactly would the Knicks overpay that actually wants to play with a 32 year old ball hog to win a ring?..dont think you thought that out.
The Knicks are not taking the right approach to thia situation, they have created conflict with Kristals Porzingis now and trading away Melo after KP actually vouched for Melo, he does not see Melo as the problem. He probably wants Rose gone , he played better with Jennings throwing him lobs and feeding him. Knicks need a pass first point guard and Fox is the guy to draft, dont trade Melo just bring Fox in to run point and let Rose sign elsewhere
KP would look great in Celtic Green.