New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis extension looms as season nears
The New York Knicks stayed quiet on Kristaps Porzingis’ extension talks, but remain without a timetable on his return to the court, according to Thursday’s press conference.
At Thursday’s press conference, New York Knicks president Steve Mills referred to Kristaps Porzingis as the franchise’s “cornerstone.” After the 2017 trade of Carmelo Anthony, the Latvian star played like one, and as an All-Star, with over 22 points per game in 48 appearances.
The torn ACL in February, of course, stunted Porzingis’ on-court development and provided unknowns for his short-term future. Among them, the contract situation, as he can become a restricted free agent after the 2018-19 season, whether or not he suits up.
The Knicks can offer Porzingis a five-year, $157 million deal before Halloween, as noted by the New York Daily News, but if that happens, it takes away cap space for the 2019 offseason. Perry did not disclose talks between the organization and Porzingis at the press conference, but said “we’re in a good place with him, as well as he is with us.”
The potential extension lines up a $31.4 million average annual value. It may not line up identically, but paying the team’s 2015 draft pick now will consume a majority of the projected cap space for 2019.
To let Porzingis pass through 2018-19 without an extension and wait for the summer likely takes an agreement between him and the organization—one that’s developed before the Halloween deadline. It’s still risky to dangle him on the open market and possibly fracture their relationship, but the restricted free-agent tag allows New York to match any offer sheet he signs.
Will Porzingis even make it to the court before the season starts, though? There’s still no timetable for his return, as alluded to in the presser video, but nothing indicated that the injury will dampen discussions, at least publicly. However, Marc Berman of The New York Post previously reported a possible Christmas return for the 23 year old.
Porzingis makes the Knicks more relevant in the Eastern Conference, no matter how the team plays without him. They were below .500 before the injury, but their record further tailed off after the All-Star break and led to a distant spot outside the playoff picture.
Despite that, questions will surround just how much better Porzingis makes New York after a career-altering injury. If it happens this season, it could play into a 2019 offseason strategy and other team developments over the next nine months.
Next. A recent history of traded first-round picks. dark
The Knicks need Porzingis back, it’s just the question of how long will it take to see him at Madison Square Garden?