In less than one year, Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis will be eligible for the designated rookie scale maximum extension. In recent weeks, Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid signed their extensions, coming out at five years and $148MM. After years of wanting to play basketball due to the possible financial prosperity, Porzingis tells Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News his focus is to win, be happy and play up to his ability.
After an opening night loss to the Thunder, and former teammate Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks are off to a bad start. However, Anthony advised the Daily News that the 22-year-old should take the money. Yet, being a losing culture could prove burdensome later on.
“He’s young. He’s young enough where if he wanted to take that deal, take it. You still got years. New York is his now,” Anthony said. “But on the flip side, with the way the game is going, people want to win. And there’s going to have to come that point where he makes that decision. As players, we all go through that. It’s a tough decision because you want to be there, you want to commit to him. The ball is in your hands. The onus is on you now. But on the flip side, I know him personally, so I know how bad he wants to win by any means.”
Check out additional basketball news surrounding New York’s two teams:
- The Knicks’ logjam at center will be key to monitor moving forward, Alex Squadron of the New York Post writes. Willy Hernangomez logged just four minutes on Thursday while Kyle O’Quinn played 22 minutes and Enes Kanter started. Once Joakim Noah returns from suspension, that logjam will be even greater.
- Jeremy Lin underwent successful surgery on his ruptured patella tendon and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The Nets point guard is also expected to make a full recovery, per the team.
- Lin’s injury will force players into starting roles and others to play consistent minutes they otherwise would not have had, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes.
I thought Anthony said no more Knicks talk…
Didn’t realize Anthony wrote the article. Thanks encyclopedia brown
Think the Knicks can move O’Quinn for a starting caliber PG ?
That would take away Frank’s minutes.
TPR= the proper rebuild
Possibly but the would most likely have to include other pieces to do so.