Knicks may Hold Porzingis out for Entire Season

The New York Knicks are not taking any chances with their franchise center Kristaps Porzingis. Knicks president Steve Mills says the team is open to sitting Porzingis—who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in February—for the entire 2018-19 season.

"Our goal is to not to do anything that jeopardizes KP’s future as being one of the foundational pieces of this team,” Mills said to The New York Post when asked if it makes sense for the Knicks to hold out Porzingis for the entire year, “He’s back. We’ll have some medical evaluations this week and we’ll start to develop what the right plan is for him to come back. But we’re not going to do anything to jeopardize the future of the franchise. We’re going to stay true to that."

There is no need for the Knicks to rush their lone All-Star back, especially in what will be another rebuilding year. The Knicks would ideally like to showcase Porzingis to the free agent class of 2019—which includes the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler, all of whom have been rumored (for whatever that’s worth nowadays) to be interested in playing for New York—but the big man’s health remains the top priority.

Kristaps Porzingis may miss the entire 2018-19 season/ (Jim McIsaac/Newsday)

Porzingis was an All-Star last season, averaging career-highs in points (22.7) and blocks (2.4) per contest. He also shot a career-best 39.5 percent from three-point territory in 48 games played. He was unable to play in the All-Star Game as he tore his ACL less than two weeks before the NBA’s All-Star weekend took place.

David Fizdale, named the team’s head coach in May, visited Porzingis in Latvia. The two are said to be on good terms as they look to turn around a franchise that has not reached the postseason since 2013. Even if Porzingis can’t contribute this season, he is expected to be the face of the team (even if the Knicks can lure a major free agent in the summer of 2019) for years to come.

Porzingis is eligible for a five-year, $157 million extension if he signs a deal before the start of the upcoming season. However, the Knicks are expected to wait until next summer to re-sign him, which would save the team cap space down the road.