The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Knicks gambling with Porzingis as restricted free agent
Kristaps Porzingis will hit free agency.
The Knicks gambled with their future and did not sign their star Latvian to the five-year, $158 million contract extension by Monday’s deadline, adding pressure on the front office to sign another star in the summer.
In an ideal Knicks world — which hasn’t existed for decades — the decision fits neatly into the plans. By passing on an extension for Porzingis while retaining his rights, the Knicks create roughly $10 million in cap space for their free agency push in 2019. And since Porzingis will be a restricted free agent, the Knicks can match any offers for the 23-year-old next summer.
Re-signing Porzingis to a deal in July remains New York’s hope, sources told the Daily News.
But also by playing this game with Porzingis, the Knicks are doubling down on their strategy to bring aboard a superstar in free agency. Kevin Durant is on top of New York’s list, but it’s murky below following Kyrie Irving’s verbal commitment to re-sign with the Celtics.
We can’t imagine Porzingis would be thrilled with delaying his contract so the Knicks could settle for Tobias Harris or Terry Rozier. The worst-case scenario is Porzingis deciding not to re-sign next summer, threatening instead to play one season on a reduced salary so he can become an unrestricted free agent in 2020. If it ever reached that point, the Knicks would undoubtedly trade the Latvian.
Porzingis is not speaking to the media while he recovers from ACL surgery, but coach David Fizdale portrayed an engaged and enthusiastic leader following practice Monday.
“There’s been nothing to indicate anything different,” Fizdale said. “I’m always looking at it from a connection standpoint. And there is nothing that’s told me that there’s any disconnection.
“He’s having fun with these guys, he’s engaging with me, with the staff. I just see a teammate out there, I see a guy that’s just trying to contribute in any way he can. And to me that says he’s a guy that’s engaged and locked in.”
Porzingis has been largely positive about the direction of the Knicks lately. But about 18 months ago, he skipped an exit meeting with Phil Jackson and Steve Mills as a way to protest the organization’s chaos and dysfunction. When Porzingis finally resurfaced last year, Jackson had been fired and the Latvian burst into the season looking like an MVP candidate.
His production slowed significantly by December as fatigue took a toll. Porzingis then tore his ACL in February and, eight months later, it remains unclear when, or if, he’ll return this season.
Since an extension signed prior to Monday’s deadline wouldn’t kick in until the 2019-20 season, Porzingis, technically, does not lose money if he signs as a restricted free agent next summer. But the downside is that the money isn’t guaranteed until nine months later.
Two players from Porzingis’ 2015 draft class — No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota and No. 9 pick Devin Booker of Phoenix — signed max extensions this offseason.
Porzingis was chosen fourth by the Knicks and represented the franchise’s lone All-Star last season.
“We just feel like we’re in a real good space with him, as well as he is with us,” GM Scott Perry said over three weeks ago about the possibility of an extension. “And we’re going to do the right thing by him and this organization.”