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New York Knicks: David Fizdale set to go to Latvia on July 23

By Sam Friedman

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: David Fizdale is announced as the new head coach of the New York Knicks during a press conference on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: David Fizdale is announced as the new head coach of the New York Knicks during a press conference on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale will be traveling to meet with Kristaps Porzingis in Latvia on July 23. What might the meeting entail?

In recent days, speculation has surfaced that New York Knicks franchise player Kristaps Porzingis will be ready to return by December. This would make the Knicks a much more interesting team.

Can you imagine if Mitchell Robinson and Porzingis were on the floor together? Their combined wingspan is around 15 feet, which is the size of the free throw line.

Robinson boasts a 9’3″ standing reach. Accompanied with Porzingis 9’4.5″ reach, they are a combined 18’7.5″ straight up.

Enough drooling.

Fizdale and his family are set to go to Latvia in just under a week. As beautiful as Latvia is this time of year, this isn’t a vacation spot for the Fizdale family. This is a personal business trip

Per Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated:

"And my wife and I are flying out in two weeks to go spend a week with him and his family."

Soon thereafter, Fizdale provided a concrete date for when he’ll be visiting Porzingis.

Fizdale is going to Latvia for a reason: He wants to keep Porzingis in the loop with all the decisions, and updates on the team.

He also wants to build a personal relationship with his franchise player.

The Injury

Porzingis is injured. If you didn’t know that, you’re out of the loop. He’s set to come back before the 2019-20 season, but there have been rumors suggesting so many different timetables that it’s impossible to tell.

This visit could be for Fizdale to tell Porzingis to calm down on the recovery. The Knicks aren’t going to to compete for a title this year. Fizdale may be going to tell Porzingis that no matter the circumstance, he’ll be shut down for the season.

I don’t think this is going to happen, as the Knicks need to showcase their prowess to incoming free agents.

Contract

It’s no secret that Porzingis is entering his contract year. He’s eligible to make $150-plus million next summer, and the Knicks would probably give him the contract.

With his injury sidelining Porzingis for a long time, Fizdale may not get a chance to speak with the All-Star in person until after the season. Coach Fizdale will be using his time to get the rest of the Knicks game-ready.

Porzingis will be rehabbing; whether or not he’s with the team remains to be seen.

Porzinigis taking the max would handcuff the Knicks. They have money to spend, but if he’s dominating the payroll, it limits their options. Free agents this summer have taken team-friendly deals to help build contenders.

Fizdale could even be going to Latvia to reason with Porzingis on his new contract;. Obviously this is all speculation, but Fizdale’s trip to Latvia definitely raises questions.

Must Read: The five most impressive Knicks from Summer League

One thing is certain: David Fizdale and the New York Knicks are invested in Kristaps Porzingis.

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