New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis wants to see changes with the team before committing to a long-term contract. Before the 2018-19 season, the Knicks can offer Porzingis a contract like what Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins signed with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively. Under the designated rookie scale maximum extension, the Knicks can offer Porzingis a five-year deal worth $148 million. If Porzingis doesn’t sign the deal, he will become a restricted free agent after the 2018 season. If that happens, the Knicks will have to match the offer sheet that Porzingis will sign to be able to keep the big man.
As a fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Porzingis signed a four-year contract worth $18.6 million. This season, Porzingis will earn $4.5 million and $5.69 million the following year.
Porzingis getting used to new role as the main man
In their season-opening 105-84 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Porzingis scored 31 points on 11-of-25 shooting with 12 rebounds in 38 minutes of play. In their 111-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons, Porzingis scored 33 points in 35 minutes. In an interview with Ian Begley of ESPN, Porzingis said he’s getting used to his new role as the team’s first option, which previously belonged to superstar Carmelo Anthony. Last season, Porzingis averaged 14.9 attempts per game but his number of shots increased to 22.5 in his first two games.
Porzingis averaged 32.8 minutes per game last season, but his playing time has increased to 36.5 percent this season.
Knicks lost 21-point lead vs Pistons
The loss to the Pistons was a bitter one for the Knicks as they squandered a 21-point lead that they built in the second quarter. Enes Kanter completed a three-point play late in the second quarter to give the Knicks a 57-36 lead.
However, the Pistons slowly trimmed the deficit, bringing it down to 64-51 at the break. In the third, Anthony Tolliver held Porzingis scoreless in the third, allowing the Pistons to make it a one-point game, 80-79, heading into the fourth. Tobias Harris took over in the fourth, scoring 13 of his 21 points as the Pistons took a 107-104 lead with 45 seconds remaining.
Reggie Jackson made four foul shots to keep the Knicks at bay. Andre Drummond tallied 21 points and grabbed 12 boards, Jackson added 16 points while Ish Smith scored 10 points off the bench for the Pistons (2-1). Kanter backed up Porzingis with 17 points and 10 boards, Kyle O’Quinn added 15 off the bench and Ramon Sessions had 10 points for the Knicks (0-2).
