Why does Kristaps Porzingis suddently want out?
Prior to this season there was some concern that star forward Kristaps Porzingis may not be crazy about the New York Knicks organization once again changing coaches after firing Jeff Hornacek and David Fizdale. Which is fair because it is a sign of instability.
But Fizdale made a huge effort to get to know Porzignis and make him feel good about the direction that the team is going in. He went as far as taking a trip to Europe to spend time with Porzingis’ family.
Now, Porziingis is suddenly worried about the direction that the Knicks are headed in, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe, Ramona Shelburne and Ian Begley of ESPN.
What’s really interesting is that things are at a point where the Knicks could try and trade KP before next week’s deadline, according to ESPN.
Porzingis, sidelined for nearly a year with an ACL injury, can become a restricted free agent this summer. Increasing tensions on both sides could culminate with the Knicks initiating trade talks prior to Thursday’s trade deadline or in the offseason to move Porzingis out of New York, league sources said.
His uncertain standing with the Knicks has been the focus of multiple teams around the league, who’ve wondered if there would be pathway to acquire him, front office sources told ESPN.
ESPN.com
ESPN says that Porzingis and his brother/agent Janis met with the Knicks’ brass on Thursday morning to talk about the teams losing this season as well as the direction of the team and past issues. He also worried that they won’t be able to sustain a winning culture.
Porzingis’ concerns are all fair with the way the Knicks have been performing over the past 20 years. But it sounds like he’s looking for a reason to leave because he shouldn’t be expecting this team to win more than they have already this season with the players they have.
If the Knicks do trade Porzingis, I’m not sure what they will be able to get for him given the fact that he’s still working his way back from a torn ACL.
Paul has been a professional writer since 2010 and covered the NFL for several years as a credentialed media member. Some of his work has been linked to companies like FOX Sports, MSN, ESPN, Rolling Stone, Forbes and Deadspin. He’s also appeared on sports talk radio shows from around the United States.
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