Kristaps Porzingis Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Celtics Interested In Kristaps Porzingis

June 20th, 2017 at 12:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks are being “flooded with interest” in young big man Kristaps Porzingis, and the Celtics are among the teams interested, sources tell Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Multiple reports this morning indicated that Phil Jackson hasn’t ruled out the possibility of moving Porzingis.

If Porzingis is truly available, no team makes more sense as a potential suitor than the Celtics, who could offer NBA rotation players, young prospects, and/or future picks. Boston has also been seeking an impact frontcourt player to pair with Al Horford, who isn’t exactly an elite rim protector. Porzingis, who is capable of protecting the rim on defense and stretching the floor on offense, would be an ideal fit for the C’s.

Still, the Knicks’ asking price for Porzingis has been “very aggressive,” according to one executive who has been in touch with the team (Twitter link via Sam Amick of USA Today). One report from earlier today suggested that the Knicks’ asking price would start with a front-line guard, though I imagine the team would want several pieces. Porzingis is still only entering the third year of his rookie contract, which makes him extremely valuable and puts no pressure on the Knicks to move him anytime soon.

Another person with knowledge of the Porzingis talks characterized the situation as one of “job preservation” for the Knicks’ front office, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (Twitter link). That’s an interesting way of putting it, since trading Porzingis and failing to extract proper value for him would likely spell the end of Jackson’s tenure in New York.

New York Notes: Rose, Workouts, Porzingis

June 15th, 2017 at 11:13am CST by Luke Adams

Although Derrick Rose‘s first season with the Knicks can’t be viewed as a true success, given the team’s record, the veteran point guard doesn’t necessarily want it to be his only season in New York. Agent B.J. Armstrong tells Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report that his client is interested in re-signing with the Knicks in free agency this summer.

“Derrick loves New York and wants to be there,” Armstrong said. “We’ve expressed that to them and been very consistent about it. Whether it happens is on them; all we can do is be clear.”

As we wait to see if Rose’s interest in the Knicks is reciprocated, let’s round up a few more notes on the two New York teams…

In addition to featuring Armstrong’s comments on Rose, Weitzman’s Bleacher Report piece on the Knicks (linked above) explores possible directions the club could go with its roster this offseason, and is worth checking out in full.
Nevada’s Cameron Oliver worked out for the Nets (Wednesday) and Knicks (Thursday) this week, league sources tell Ian Begley of ESPN.com. The 6’8″ power forward comes off the board at No. 50 in DraftExpress’ latest mock draft.
Dallas Moore, J.J. Frazier, Malcolm Hill, Isaiah Hicks, and Moses Kingsley are among the other prospects to work out for the Nets this week, per NetsDaily (Twitter link).
As Marc Berman of The New York Post details, Kristaps Porzingis will be the subject of an E-60 documentary that will air on ESPN later this month. Berman adds that the documentary will address Porzingis’ “cold war” with the Knicks, with the last scene having been filmed in April after the big man skipped his exit meeting with the club.

Knicks Part Ways With Assistant Coach Josh Longstaff

May 21st, 2017 at 8:58pm CST by Austin Kent

Despite the fact that the Knicks’ relationship with Kristaps Porzingis is already tenuous, the organization chose not to renew the contract of an assistant coach that he’s particularly close with, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes.

The second-year big man had bonded with Josh Longstaff through his first two years in the league, the pair even training overseas together last summer.

The Knicks didn’t specify why they decided to part ways with the 34-year-old player development specialist, one of several holdovers from Derek Fisher‘s coaching staff prior to the 2016/17 campaign, but the decision is curious. Per Bondy, the Knicks are said to be moving forward with a heavy focus on the triangle all throughout the organization.

Knicks fans have already seen their front office clash with the 7’2″ budding star this offseason. Porzingis ditched his exit meeting with the team last month to head back to his native Latvia. Just this week, team president Phil Jackson and Porzingis’ brother supposedly connected to discuss the apparently strained relationship but the sit down isn’t said to have been very effective.

All told, the move is the latest questionable one out of a front office that has spent the better part of the past year denigrating Carmelo Anthony, though a top-down effort to more seriously implement the triangle may put things in perspective.

Rumored to be a candidate to fill the vacancy is former Knick Pablo Prigioni. The 40-year-old played in Europe this season but served with the Knicks for three seasons ending in 2014/15.

Phil Jackson Recently Met With Kristaps Porzingis’ Camp

May 20th, 2017 at 8:04pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Team president Phil Jackson recently met with Kristaps Porzingis‘ brother and the two sides discussed the the power forward’s issues with the club, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News reports. A Knicks‘ source tells Bondy that the sit down didn’t accomplish very much as Phil Jackson remained “steadfast” in his ways.

Jackson remains focused on installing and running the triangle. He’s aimed to tailor the teams’ workouts and training sessions around the offense, sources tell Bondy.

What specifics the two sides discussed is not clear, but Porzingis’ camp has previously called for New York to “create an environment where he can develop and grow as a player and win.”

Porzingis has two years remaining on his deal and in the summer of 2019, he can become a restricted free agent. At that point, the team will be able to match any offer. If Porzingis badly wants out, the quickest route to secure a place on a new franchise without a trade is playing out the final two years of his deal, then signing a qualifying offer during the 2019 offseason. That would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020.

Porzingis has said he wants to remain in New York, but with the aforementioned conditions. The team has some time to repair the relationship and build a winning team, though as we’ve seen with the Carmelo Anthony saga, ongoing Knicks’ turmoil isn’t guaranteed to get better with time.

Jackson only has two seasons remaining on his deal. I’d speculate that he’ll make it through his current agreement, but he won’t see another deal in the 2019 offseason unless Kristaps Porzingis is happy with the state of the franchise. By that time, we’ll likely have more data on the triangle offense in our current pace-and-space culture and it should be clear whether or not the system has a place in the league.

Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Crowder, Simmons

May 12th, 2017 at 10:52pm CST by Austin Kent

Speaking with reporters at the NBA Draft Combine, Knicks president Phil Jackson reiterated that he thinks Carmelo Anthony should waive his no-trade clause and accept the reality of playing elsewhere, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.

“He has a no-trade contract. I think I expressed what I felt [in April]. I can’t express it any better,” Jackson said of the Knicks forward.

Jackson did note that he’s been in touch with Anthony through text messages, referencing the news reports that the Knicks star and his wife may be headed toward divorce.

In 74 games for the Knicks this season, Anthony averaged 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game but the club won just 31 contests in a year marred by off-court melodrama.

There’s more from the Atlantic:

Don’t expect 2016 first overall pick Ben Simmons to suit up for the Sixers in the summer league this offseason, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com tweets. Fans curious to see the forward in action, however, can always check his Instagram for a recent video of him practicing.
A league executive has praised Celtics general manager Danny Ainge for the trade that yielded Jae Crowder back in 2014, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England writes. Crowder appeared to be little more than a throw-in in the Rajon Rondo deal but has evolved into a premier defender.
In an attempt to stop things in their tracks, Knicks president Phil Jackson opted not to address the situation unfolding with a beleaguered Kristaps Porzingis, an ESPN report mentions. The second-year man has voiced his displeasure with the organization but has also declared that he’d like to remain with the franchise.

Atlantic Notes: Casey, Porzingis, Lowry

May 11th, 2017 at 8:30pm CST by ChrisCrouse

On the surface, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri may have sounded during his season-ending presser like he was considering a coaching change. However, Michael Grange of Sportsnet believes Ujiri’s comments suggest he has faith in head coach Dwane Casey to adjust his coaching style going forward.

“Yes there is commitment [to Casey],” Ujiri said. “But we are all going to question ourselves. We are all going to seriously question ourselves now, and figure out the best way to do it. Because coach Casey has been a phenomenal part of our success here, you know, and in some ways we owe that to him [the opportunity to continue].

“But I’ve told him that we all have to be accountable. I haven’t slept, and I know he hasn’t slept too, because we’re thinking of ways that we can continue to make these things better, and make the right decisions.”

Ujiri added that the team needs to play a different style and that Casey will be given a chance to make the switch.

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

Coach Jeff Hornacek firmly believes Kristaps Porzingis will be on the Knicks next season, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweets. “There’s no doubt in my mind,” Hornacek said of Porzingis’ place on the team. Porzingis’ brother recently said that the big man wants to remain in New York.
The Knicks are at the combine in Chicago with an eye on finding players who fit into their system, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Phil Jackson, who met with several point guard prospects, recently said that the team is “interested in skill players that know how to play together in team form.”
It would not be smart for the Sixers to sign Kyle Lowry, Dennis Chambers of Basketball Insiders opines. Chambers believes adding Lowry wouldn’t put the team in the championship-contender conversation, but it would push them to mediocrity—a place where Philadelphia sat prior to The Process.

Brother: Porzingis Wants To Stay In New York

May 11th, 2017 at 10:21am CST by Luke Adams

Janis Porzingis, the brother of Kristaps Porzingis, reiterated to Ian Begley of ESPN.com that the Knicks big man wants to remain New York, despite the seemingly rocky nature of the relationship between the team and the player as of late. As Begley details, Janis also issued something of a warning to teams that might be interested in trading for his brother.

“Kris wants to stay in New York; he feels at home there. There is no question about it. The only thing he wants is for the Knicks to create an environment where he can develop and grow as a player and win,” Janis Porzingis told Begley. “If he were traded, he would play out his contract and head into free agency, where he can choose his own destiny.”

While family members’ statements on behalf of NBA players should generally be taken with a grain of salt, it’s worth noting that Janis isn’t just Kristaps’ brother — he’s also a certified agent who works for ASM Sports, the home of Kristaps’ agent Andy Miller. As such, Janis’ comments carry some extra weight, and his statement about the Knicks echoes what Kristaps said about the team last month, when he insisted that he loves New York and wants to remain with the Knicks.

As for Janis’ comments about a hypothetical trade, any team interested in Porzingis would have to consider the possibility of him bolting at the end of his contract. But since Porzingis remains on his rookie deal, he’d only be eligible for restricted free agency when it expires in 2019, giving New York – or another team – plenty of leverage to hang onto him. In any case, the Knicks aren’t expected to seriously explore trading Porzingis at this point.

Although the 2016/17 season came to an end for his Knicks nearly a month ago, Porzingis has continued to dominate NBA headlines in recent weeks. After skipping his exit meeting with the organization, Porzingis made plans to spend his summer in his native Latvia. That prompted teams to inquire with the Knicks about Porzingis’ availability, and the 21-year-old created a stir when a Clippers-themed message was posted and deleted to his Twitter account; he later claimed he was hacked.

Atlantic Notes: Goodwin, Porzingis, Olynyk

May 7th, 2017 at 6:28pm CST by Austin Kent

The Nets may have stumbled upon a building block when they inked Archie Goodwin to a two-year deal following a pair of 10-day contracts this season. The feeling is mutual, a Nets Daily report suggests.

“I can grow with this team, grow with the staff and organization,” the 22-year-old recently told the media. Though the combo guard was waived by both the Suns and the Pelicans in 2016/17, he arrived with the Nets as an intriguing source of potential.

After spending one year with Kentucky, Goodwin opted to enter the 2013 draft and was selected toward the end of the first round. In 12 games with the Nets this year, Goodwin’s minutes were limited but he flashed his potential with 18.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per 36 minutes.

“They’re actually going to give me an opportunity and this summer is going to be a big, big summer for me. I’m going to take advantage of it,” Goodwin said of the Nets.

Goodwin’s deal with the Nets has a team option for 2017/18 and becomes partially guaranteed on opening night.

After a cryptic tweet referencing the Clippers was published from his account, Kristaps Porzingis claims that he was hacked. The Knicks big man tweeted his explanation on Sunday.
The Celtics will have to make a tough decision this summer, choosing whether to build their future around the star who has led them to one of their best finishes in years or commit to one of the prized point guards eligible in this year’s draft. Basketball Insiders’ Moke Hamilton breaks down the scenario in his latest feature.
Although he’s been involved in several incidents, the most recent culminating in a Kelly Oubre Jr. suspension after the guard took offense to a hard screen, Kelly Olynyk insists that he’s not a dirty player. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England discusses the incident that transpired in the Celtics–Wizards series.

Atlantic Notes: Porzingis, Lowry, Saric, Sixers

May 7th, 2017 at 10:03am CST by Arthur Hill

A spokesman for Kristaps Porzingis is blaming hackers for the mysterious tweet that appeared Saturday on his account, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The message read “LA Clippers” with three smiley faces, prompting speculation that Porzingis has a desire to be traded to Los Angeles. It was deleted a few seconds later. His representative says Porzingis was asleep when the tweet was posted and he believes the account was hacked.

There’s more this morning from the Atlantic Division:

This summer could bring major changes to the Raptors, including the departure of Kyle Lowry and coach Dwane Casey, writes Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun. The Raptors trail the Cavaliers 3-0 heading into today’s Game 4, and there is speculation that a second-round exit won’t be enough to keep the team together. Lowry is expected to opt out of his $12MM deal and become a free agent after an injury-filled season. He described himself as “probably doubtful” for today’s game with a sprained left ankle, the latest in a list of ailments that also included back problems and wrist surgery. Lowry has three straight All-Star appearances, but he turned 31 in March and the Raptors will have to decide if he’s worth a long-term investment. Casey has a .548 winning percentage in his six years in Toronto, but team president Masai Ujiri may decide the team needs a different presence on its bench.
Rookie of the Year candidate Dario Saric remembers the anxiety he felt on the plane trip from Croatia to Philadelphia, relays Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly. “I was nervous,” he said. “I feel like I am coming in NBA, this is it now. I cannot go back anymore.” The Sixers waited two years for Saric to join the team after acquiring his rights in a 2014 trade with Orlando. He didn’t disappoint, averaging 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 81 games.
The Sixers need more than just another successful draft to become contenders, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey examines the way other teams have been constructed and notes that there is usually a mixture of draft picks, trades and free agency signings. Philadelphia enters the May 16th lottery with the fourth-worst record and about a one in three chance of landing a top three pick. The Sixers will also receive the Lakers’ selection if it falls out of the top three.

Porzingis Has Message For Clippers In Tweet

May 6th, 2017 at 9:44pm CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis sent out an unexplained tweet today that he quickly deleted, according to Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post.

The social media message read simply, “LA Clippers” and was accompanied by three smiling faces.

The Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs last week and are believed to have interest in Porzingis’ teammate, Carmelo Anthony, whom the Knicks would like to trade this summer.

There has been no publicly stated connection between Porzingis and the Clippers, although there was a report that several teams contacted New York’s front office about his availability last month after he skipped an exit meeting as a form of protest. He left for Latvia and announced his intention to play for the national team without consulting anyone from the Knicks.

Still, there’s little reason to believe that Porzingis is being shopped around, especially if New York gets rid of Anthony. The 7’3″ forward/center is still seen as part of the Knicks’ foundation and is under team control on his rookie contract for two more seasons.