The New York Knicks have the task of re-signing Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason. However, other teams will show interest, including the San Antonio Spurs.
The New York Knicks opted not to extend Kristaps Porzingis in October, which allowed them to keep cap space for 2019 free agency. The consequence, he will hit the open market as a restricted free agent.
The Knicks can match any offer sheet Porzingis signs, but it also lets him speak with other teams, potentially fracturing the relationship with the team that drafted him in 2015, at No. 4 overall.
At least one organization will have interest when the Latvian forward hits free agency. Per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the San Antonio Spurs have “significant interest” in him, although salary cap hurdles exist to sign him.
A max offer sheet would give Porzingis four years, $122.1 million.
It was always a risk for New York to not re-sign its face of the franchise, even if it had benefits towards their pursuit of top names. If he was healthy, maybe it’s a different story, and the Knicks willingly hand him a five-year deal.
Now, after a torn left ACL that’s kept him out since February 2018, and without a guaranteed return before 2018-19 ends, the Knicks may have to pay him top price to stay and hope he recovers fully.
For the Spurs to become players for Porzingis, who can make an average annual value of $30.5 million, they have to clear cap space. It starts by waiving Pau Gasol‘s partially-guaranteed contract and continues with unloading another eight-figure salary.
Similar cases will apply for other teams that want to pursue Porzingis, including the Brooklyn Nets, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
It’s difficult to think these are the only two teams with interest. Others will line up — anyone with cap space or who believes clearing money and offering Porzingis a max contract will make the difference.
The Knicks, again, hold the cards. Even under a new regime, they emphasized Porzingis’ rehab for nearly one year and put all of their eggs into one basket. To let him walk after all that, however the February re-evaluation plays out, has the chance to set this organization for years.
Signing one of free agency’s biggest names can offset that, but will any of them want to play in New York without Porzingis and a group of developing rookies and sophomores?
The 2019 offseason might have an extra wrinkle, and not one Knicks fans will show excitement for. Porzingis staying makes sense, but there’s a bumpy road to reach that official point.