Knicks president Steve Mills believes “we’re in a good place” with Kristaps Porzingis despite not giving the All-Star forward an extension by Monday’s deadline.
Mills said Porzingis has not complained.
Of course, Mills, when claiming that Porzingis is “always forthright” with his issues, can’t be referencing the Latvian’s disappointment with the franchise in 2016. In that instance, Porzingis protested by being silent – by surprising the Knicks by skipping his exit meeting with Mills and Phil Jackson.
Porzingis was eligible for a five-year, $158 million extension but will now become a restricted free agent. By passing on the extension, the Knicks will create roughly $10 million in cap space for their free-agent chase in the summer. They can also match any offer to Porzingis.
“We think it ended up in a situation that’s best for the long-term view of the Knicks which ultimately will be the best in the long term view for KP because he’ll have a better team that he’ll be part of,” Mills said.
Porzingis, who is recovering from ACL surgery, has not addressed his contract.
There were still tickets available before tipoff Wednesday at the Garden, and there was a chance the Knicks’ opener against the Hawks would not be sold out.
From 2010 to 2015, the Knicks sold out over 200 consecutive games. The fact that selling tickets for the opener is difficult is probably an indictment on the annual low expectations for the team.
Courtney Lee, who missed the entire preseason with a strained neck, did not play in the opener Wednesday against the Hawks despite being healthy.
The 33-year-old is the oldest player on the Knicks roster and doesn’t fit into timeline of a rebuild, but he also has two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.
Emmanuel Mudiay (sprained ankle) was also inactive.