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New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis receives re-evaluation timetable

ByRob Wolkenbrod|
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during their Open Practice on September 29, 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 - SEPTEMBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during their Open Practice on September 29, 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)

The New York Knicks have played without Kristaps Porzingis since February, and that timespan will extend another few months.

Since suffering a torn left ACL in February, Kristaps Porzingis has not returned to the court for the New York Knicks. It’s 10 months past the injury, with few updates on his status in between. The team is just 9-24 without him in 2018-19.

On Friday, the Knicks updated Porzingis’ status, but did not offer a timetable for his return to action. Instead, they announced he was recently evaluated by the training staff, confirmed his knee has “healed well” and will be re-evaluated in mid-February.

It’s positive, nonetheless, despite the absence of a return date. No indicated setbacks potentially puts him on track for an in-season return, but by the time February arrives, will it be worth it?

Mid-February potentially indicates the All-Star break, the 14th to the 22nd, for Porzingis’ re-evaluation. By then, it will be over one year since the injury.

However, the Knicks own the fifth-worst record in the NBA, and with seven losses in their last eight games, they continue to trend down.

So, when the All-Star break arrives, how deeply entrenched will New York be in the standings? Without a playoff spot, there are minor stakes for the Latvian forward to play for, especially as the risk of reaggravation.

Letting Porzingis play over the season’s final seven weeks, if deemed able to return, allows him to shake off rust from the past year. Rather than waiting for October 2019 and be without a professional basketball game in 20 months.

Porzingis proving his health can potentially entice one of the many big names in July’s free agency, as well. Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker are among the players that can hit the open market.

This may also make the Knicks feel more content with handing Porzingis a five-year deal in restricted free agency. They opted not to extend him before October’s deadline, as it retained salary cap flexibility for the offseason. New York can match any offer the former lottery pick signs this summer.

There’s a case for both sides, and Porzingis returning before 2018-19 ends may boost morale. With any cause for concern of reaggravation, though, will the Knicks stay cautious and wait for next year to return their franchise icon?

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