Don't Get Blindsided: Kristaps Porzingis Might Leave the New York Knicks
Mar 22, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defends against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Some people don’t realize that the 2020 offseason is one of the most important Knicks offseason since Melo signed with the Knicks.

A lot of people are talking about Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose leaving, but very few considered the fact that the 7-foot-3 sophomore Kristaps Porzingis might be on his way out of New York as well.

Porzingis will be a restricted free agent in the 2019–20 offseason. There have been rumors that Porzingis will consider leaving New York when he becomes a restricted free agent.

Via Ian Begley of ESPN:

If the Knicks move Carmelo Anthony, the club will build in earnest around Porzingis. The Knicks are encouraged by other young pieces on the roster such as (Willy) Hernangomez, Justin Holiday, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ron Baker and Chasson Randle. One potential issue is how the drama surrounding the franchise may impact some of these players. If the dysfunction continues, no one should be surprised if Porzingis and Hernangomez leave the franchise in free agency. That, of course, would be the biggest black eye of Jackson’s presidency.

KP gave the fans a lot of clues that he will possibly consider testing the free agent market in 2019. Porzingis became more vocal about New York because of the consistent losing. One can see his frustration on his face after continuously losing and interviews after interviews, but take a look at all the clues he’s showing us that he might leave.

Before the all-star break; Kristaps Porzingis posted an odd picture on twitter and then deleted. It was inferred that he was talking about how badly his season was going and how current players is affecting his development in the NBA.

Another clue is tied to what Porzingis told New York Daily News’ Marc Berman at the all-star break, surrounding the idea that the team doesn’t have chemistry and that he and the point guard is not on the same page.

“ We’re still trying to find that connection between us, where we know exactly where the guy’s going to be,’’ Porzingis said.

“I’m here. I try to relax, but still thinking about the season the whole time. We’ll see what happens. There might be some changes.”

Additionally, Porzingis let Berman know how frustrated he was with the team by calling out the front office.

“From top to bottom, everything. A lot of stuff that’s not clear. … [The frustration] is pretty high. Concentration was tough when we’re not doing the right thing and not working together right now. We need to find solutions the next 16 games.”

Next, Porzingis does not feel like everybody in the system is buying into the offense.

“It’s going to come,” he said. “I know it is. If we do all the right things, we keep focused, we keep working, we make the right decisions, it’s going to come. We’ll be there. I don’t doubt it.”

Lastly, KP showed his frustration in the offense with this quote:

 “There’s a lot of confusion,” Porzingis said. “A lot of times it’s one-on-one. Whoever, me, myself, Carmelo [Anthony], Courtney [Lee], we try to make something happen, and that’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

How can a two year experienced player in the NBA take all of this commotion that’s surrounded him? He witnessed his teammate get booed by fans constantly. He’s also seen the fanbase tear down Rose as a player while witnessing how dysfunctional this organization is. Honestly: Why would he want to continue his career in New York after 2019–20?

What if the New York Knicks haven’t been to the playoffs and are still trying to rebuild to find a team? Porzingis will be a fourth year experienced player in the league and not being able to see the playoffs and playing against your friends in the postseason will have KP thinking about going to a team that wants to win.

If the Knicks want to keep Porzingis, they better get to work.

Porzingis is averaging 18.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG while shooting 44 percent from the field.

 
19 Years Old, from Chicago, IL. NBA writer for EliteSportsNY and RealBallInsider. MLB writer for ROBaseball. Sports Writer for The Communicator Newspaper. Co-Host on Sports Show "SportsSanity" blogtalkradio.com/sportssanity