The New York Knicks have decided against a premature extension of the rookie contract of Power Forward Kristaps Prozingis. That’ll give them $10 million more next summer. This is reported by Ian Begley of ESPN.
Porzingis will thus become the Restricted Free Agent in 2019. Other teams will be able to make offers to the 23-year-old next summer, but the Knicks will have the opportunity to go along with every offer.
The reason for this decision is the potential engagement of a superstar next summer. Players like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard or Jimmy Butler are expected to be on the market and looking for a Max contract.
With the Knicks waiting until the end of the season to negotiate an extension with Porzingis, the franchise is expected to have $10 million more available to Cap Space. In addition, Joakim Noah was dismissed a few days ago and his current contract, endowed with 19.3 million dollars, was extended to another season.
Thus the New Yorkers probably have about 31 million dollars available in the Free Agency, but that is not enough to hire a superstar. Between 32.7 and 38.15 million dollars is required for a maximum contract, according to a calculation by Begley, so at least one more move must take place.
Meanwhile Porzingis seems to agree with the decision, at least it helps to strengthen the squad and the Latvian has confirmed several times that he wants to stay with the Knicks for the rest of his career.
“It was fantastic having him in the gym. As if we had another coach,” enthused the new coach David Fizdale during the training camp. “He’s dedicated to training and helping rookie Mitchell Robinson with a lot of stuff.”
Fizdale appreciates the leadership role the Power Forward has taken and believes that Porzingis is on the management side.
Meanwhile, other teams have also decided against extending their contracts with their rookies: Tyus Jones of the Timberwolves, Bobby Portis of the Bulls and D’Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of the Nets will have to wait until the next Free Agency before a new contract is presented to them.
Terry Rozier, on the other hand, has rejected an offer from Celtics according to a report by A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. According to the report, Boston offered the Point Guard a salary of 12 million dollars per year, but Rozier apparently wants to wait and see. This will also make him a restricted free agent in the summer.