Treat Him Right: Kristaps Porzingis’ Brother Puts Knicks On Notice
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 29: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts pressure on Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on October 29, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 114-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Janis Porzingis, Kristaps’ brother and agent, explained the missed exit interview while warning the Knicks not to take things for granted.

If the New York Knicks thought that, by trading Carmelo Anthony, they had done everything they needed to do to keep Kristaps Porzingis happy, think again.

The elder Porzings recently spoke with Jānis Freimanis for the Latvian website Sportacentrs about all things Kristaps.

“[Skipping the exit interview] wasn’t an emotional decision,” he said, translated by Eurohoops.net. “It wasn’t a spontaneous action. We had been thinking about it for a long time and it was considered an honest, well-thought decision we came up with together. It was a logical next step for us, without which we would’ve been in one situation, but now after we did it – we are in another”

Janis also said that Carmelo Anthony, who is now with the Oklahoma City Thunder, was unprofessional with the way he handled all the drama last season and that they wouldn’t be in this situation if Melo had decided to fight for something.

Now the focal point of the Knicks’ offense, Porzingis is eligible for a five-year maximum extension after this season. But as he told the New York Daily News‘ Stefan Bondy last month, he needs to see changes from the team before making a long-term commitment.

Janis warned that his brother could leave New York if they don’t keep him happy.

“The most important question here is this: What do you really want to achieve in your career?” he said. “Because money – if Kristaps performs at least on his normal level, is gonna come. We are more focused on some other values and not just to quickly sign a new contract so we can collect the money. That’s definitely not our goal, so we won’t be feverishly counting minutes or counting points. You can’t escape the reality and the Knicks must also see that.”

It’d be a good idea for general manager Steve Mills to sit down with his star and find out exactly what it is he needs to sign an extension. Because the Knicks can’t afford to lose him—and the Brothers Porzingis know it.

 
I graduated from Marist College with a Bachelors in Sports Communications in 2011. I am a huge sports fan. I also write articles for TheCelebrityCafe.com.