Kristaps Porzingis finally breaks his silence on future with the Knicks

The New York Knicks finally can be relieved that Kristaps Porzingis remains committed to the team despite prior rumors.

The New York Knicks continue to have a rollercoaster offseason with a summer full of Carmelo Anthony rumors and the possibility of Kyrie Irving coming to town.

However, what has actually materialized into news is the fact that Kristaps Porzingis has broken his silence for the first time since Phil Jackson was “listening” to offers for him.

Ever since Kristaps skipped his exit interview at the end of the 2016-17 regular season, no one could be sure what was on his mind. At the time, Phil Jackson was in need of an ego stroke, which led to dangling both Carmelo Anthony and KP on the trade block. It was a dark beginning to the summer, and us Knick fans began to run out of paper bags to hide our faces in.

But somehow the basketball gods threw the Knicks culture and fans a much-needed bone. In late June, Knicks owner James Dolan and Phil Jackson “mutually agreed” to part ways.

Ever since, one could only wonder the future direction that the New York Knicks would be headed toward with president Steve Mills calling the shots and new general manager Scott Perry. Evidently, it’s nothing too terrible as far as bringing talent in and not sending talent out.

In a rare interview directly with NBA.com, Kristaps Porzingis gave news that can only be uplifting to the broken spirit in New York.

"“So far it’s been tough in New York, but my journey is only beginning and I hope to stay there my whole career.”"

Let’s be honest, even Jeff Hornacek must be at home blushing with that kind of statement.

What does this all mean?

Kristaps Porzingis announcing he wants to be a Knick for life is shockingly more surprising than Kyrie Irving wanting to “‘come home” and play for New York. But what does this really mean now that he has announced his love for the city?

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Well for one, this seems to be the right time to officially call this KP’s team, regardless of Carmelo staying put or not. While both have handled the abuse of Phil Jackson as best as they could, Anthony seems eager to cut ties with New York.

While it has been stated that the remaining veterans on the roster are an important aspect of improving the young players, this is with or without Anthony.

“If Carmelo is with us, we will continue to develop our young players,” president Steve Mills said as Scott Perry was introduced as the new GM.

With or without Carmelo, it will be interesting to see the franchise be built around a hybrid player like Porzingis, instead of the offensive-minded Anthony.

Porzingis is signed with the Knicks through the 2018-19 regular season on a team option, which the Knicks seem ever more likely to hold onto at this point.

The Knicks are acting like a supportive team

On a final note, what is even more important is the support all players seem to have for one another.

Upon Tim Hardaway Jr. being signed, he publicly made it known he would like to see Carmelo stay.

Who else feels this way? Kristaps Porzingis as well as Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who shared his thoughts on both stars with the New York Post.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas on Carmelo Anthony:

"“Honestly I would like him as a teammate. He’s a great leader and also he’s in my position. A lot of people think I wouldn’t want him here because I’m getting less minutes, but the opportunity to practice with him every day and see him every day in games, I would like to see him as my teammate.”"

Mindaugas Kuzminskas on Kristaps Porzingis:

"“I don’t think it was something personal against the club,’’ Kuzminskas said. “If there [were] some problems I think they solved everything. No doubt he wants to be a Knick and he’s said that.’’"

Kristaps Porzingis also had this to add about Carmelo Anthony during his interview with NBA.com

"“He’s an All-Star, an incredible player and I’ve learned so much from him,” Porzingis said. “There’s still so much for me to learn form him. I would love to have him around and keep playing alongside him.“But it is what it is. It’s a business. If it ends, well … I don’t know, it’s out of my hands. I’m really thankful for these couple of years I’ve been with him, just seeing how he works during the summer. It proves he wants to win and he wants to be great. I’m sure he’ll make the right decision for himself”"

Everything sounds just right so far as the Knicks overall situation looks better than it had been at the end of the regular season.

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With no bad blood among the team and Porzingis calling New York home again despite prior rumors, the Knicks seem headed in the right direction.