Deal with it later
KP not thinking about pact, but leaves door open to bolt Knicks
Kristaps Porzingis will hold a press conference Monday in Latvia at the Liepaja Olympic Center to announce his official participation on the country’s national team in this summer’s European Championships.
However, Porzingis recently conducted an interview in Latvian during which he gently chided Knicks president Phil Jackson and left the door slightly ajar as to whether he will resign with the team after his rookie contract expires following the 2018-19 season.
A disgruntled Porzingis blew off his exit meeting with Jackson nine days ago, left town without a sit-down and the Knicks are in the dark on why he went AWOL.
Quoted in the April issue of the Latvian sports magazine “Sporta Avize,” Porzingis was asked if he will sign a second contract with the Knicks. Porzingis’ four-year rookie deal has two years left and he said he hopes to finish his career with the Knicks — with a caveat.
“Absolutely, I want to stay here all my career,’’ Porzingis said, according to the English translation provided by the magazine. “But the thing I want most of all is winning. When the time comes, I will seriously start to think about it. Right now I just try to do my best.”
The Knicks are 32-50 and 31-51 in Porzingis’ two seasons. The interview took place March 20, after a game against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
The Latvian magazine also asked Porzingis about the Carmelo Anthony-Jackson collision. According to the translation provided, Porzingis said:
“This was a situation media did not hesitate to heat up more than it was in reality. I think there was some mistakes from Phil — things he maybe shouldn’t said or written, things that made the situation worse or made him not look good. But at the same time — it’s that kind of business.’’
On Wednesday, before shooting the final scene of his documentary at his Manhattan apartment complex, Porzingis told The Post he had no thoughts of wanting to be traded this offseason.
“Of course [I want to be here next season],’’ he said. “I love New York. I love New York.’’
Porzingis, however, declined comment on why he didn’t attend the meeting, saying it’s not “the right moment.’’
Sources have told The Post that Porzingis didn’t attend his meeting as a protest over how strangely the organization is run — with Jackson looking to deal Anthony, Porzingis’ mentor, and mixed messages being sent regarding their offensive system. It’s worth noting, too, Porzingis was at the freethrow line when the game against the Clippers halted as Knicks legend Charles Oakley battled with security guards before being arrested Feb. 8.