Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t happy with the Knicks toward the end of last season, something that prompted him to skip his exit meeting. He had concerns about the team’s competitiveness and its lack of direction, but now, after an offseason of change, the big man has a different outlook on the organization.
“So far it’s been tough in New York, but my journey is only beginning and I hope to stay there my whole career, so as a city we can have some fun and win some games and do something big,” Porzingis said (via Shaun Powell of NBA.com). “For me, it’s now home.”
The Knicks endured another losing season during the 2016/17 campaign, which led to a shakeup in their front office. They replaced former team president Phil Jackson with Steve Mills and they’ve added Scott Perry to be the new GM. Porzingis appears to be giving the new regime a chance to turn things around.
“We’re going to have a lot of new guys,” the big man said. “Every year is almost like a new year. There will be a lot of changes. I’m going into the season hoping we have a group of guys who want to work hard and win. That’s what’s important.”
Porzingis would love to play alongside Carmelo Anthony for the third straight season, though the 22-year-old knows it’s beyond his control.
“There’s still so much for me to learn [from] him,” Porzingis said. “I would love to have him around and keep playing alongside him. But it is what it is. It’s a business. If it ends, well … I don’t know, it’s out of my hands. I’m really thankful for these couple of years I’ve been with him, just seeing how he works during the summer. “
Anthony, who has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason, is reportedly set on joining the Rockets. He hasn’t spoken to the team’s new front office yet, though he’s on good terms with Perry and plans to do so “when the time comes.”
While it doesn’t appear Anthony plans on staying with the Knicks as they embrace a new era, Porzingis wants to help the new regime bring a championship to the Big Apple.
“Look, I was so happy when I got drafted by New York,” Porzingis said. “I was never worried about the big stage or anything like that. I’ve always enjoyed that. I can envision [a championship someday] and see it. But we’re still a long way from there. As we get better, if we can all see that goal at the end and work towards it, anything can happen.”
If I was Porzingis, I’d accept the qualifying offer (when the time comes), and sign somewhere else as an unrestricted free agent the following summer. Even though Phil is gone, the Knicks problems stem from Dolan. Phoenix would be a good spot for Kristaps. (Whoever)-Booker-Jackson-Chriss-Porzingis would be a nice lineup in 2020
People think the tanking teams are the problem, but in reality it’s the dumb front offices and owners such as the Knicks or Magic who screw up the franchise
Dolan owns the hockey NY Rangers as well and is hands off. They’ve been successful. Basketball? Ugh… Can’t he see what the root cause is?
When Dolan took over he managed to piss off JVG. Idk what happened between the two of them but since then the Knicks franchise has been in a downward spiral. Then there was the infamous 100 million dollar contract given to Stoudimire followed by the trade that brought Melo to NY by giving away way to much. Dolan ok’d both of those deals. So now hopefully he stays hands off the franchise and maybe the Knicks can be more like their MSG counterpart the NY Rangers.
NO ONE WANTS MELO!!!!Market is Zip zilch nada nothing kaput finished done over ended ceases to exist … that is all for now:)
So not true. Jackson screwed the pooch by publicly stating that he wanted Melo gone. The Rockets, Clippers, Thunder, Blazzers, and Cavaliers are all teams that want Melo. As of right now no team is offering the Knicks the type of return that they want. Melo’s value will climb around the trade deadline because teams in both conferences are thinking: How can we beat the Warriors?
Oh yea and Melo is being a Capital RICHARD atm by not expanding his wish list. I believe Melo wants to stay in NY, like he stated at the end of the season but is punishing the Knicks front office by supporting his departure.
Because there’s no value to give knicks anything in return. Knicks value of melo is way up here, other teams value of return for melo is way down here. Who is right and who is wrong? My opinion is melo value by knicks is way TOO HIGH and other teams don’t think knicks are correct
The biggest mistake of Phil Jackson’s executive career- bigger than giving Noah $72M albatross contract was giving Melo a Full NTC.
Many things contributed to him getting fired.. I think this move contributed the most.