Kristaps goes fourth! Hurting rookie plays, jersey’s big seller

PAY attention, Kevin Durant, Michael Conley Jr. and other free agents, to the possibilities of playing in New York. According to a release from the NBA on Wednesday, Kristaps Porzingis’ jersey was fourth in sales from October through December, trailing only Stephen Curry’s, LeBron James’ and Kobe Bryant’s.

Durant, the top free agent of 2016 and former MVP, was one spot below Porzingis, while Carmelo Anthony rounded out the list at No. 15. Porzingis is also rising in the All-Star voting – up to sixth among Eastern Conference frontcourt players at last vote.

“New York’s a special place,” Knicks coach Derek Fisher said about Porzingis’ popularity. “That’s always a part of the pitch when you’re trying to convince guys to come here.”

While the big market vs. small market dynamic has changed dramatically because of technology and social media, the jersey sale numbers are always a reminder

that the Lakers, Knicks and Bulls move the needle.

Porzingis has built a tremendous following just 2 1/2 months into his career, a product of his unique skills, personality and international appeal – but also because he plays in New York. It’s an especially important factor to these Knicks, who don’t own their own draft pick this year, because the best way to improve is through free agency. Rajon Rondo and DeMar DeRozan are also free agents this summer, while Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose headline the more attainable of the 2017 class.

Marketing is probably not at the forefront of a free agent’s mind – just ask LaMarcus Aldridge, who was disappointed by the Lakers’ glamour presentation last summer — but it could resonate more than the triangle.

More importantly, the Knicks are not such a bad team anymore and Anthony is embracing the Porzingis experience with greater enthusiasm than Linsanity.

“I love Porzingis,” former Knicks coach and current ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy said. “I love everything about how he’s handled his situation, love his game, love his mental makeup. …I’m hopeful that he has a career of great health because he has given the New York Knicks fan reason to fall back in love with their team.

“If they had fallen out of love since over the last decade or so, you can fall back in love now because this guy, along with Carmelo Anthony, gives you a chance to be competitive every night.”

LANCE A NOT

Knicks reserve forward Lance Thomas was ruled out Wednesday with a sore knee. He was scheduled to be re-evaluated after the game.

“He’ll be seen by doctors and go from there to see if an MRI is necessary,” Fisher said.

Thomas is averaging 8.7 points this season.

DOESN’T FITZ

A Ryan Fitzpatrick doppelganger – who happened to be sitting next to the Jets QB – fooled the Garden cameraman.

During the second quarter of Wednesday’s game, the Jumbotron introduced Fitzpatrick as a bearded man drinking a beer sitting courtside. Except Fitzpatrick was seated to the right of this man, and the mistake was quickly corrected when the camera panned to the left.