The New York Knicks picked up the 2018-19 team option on forward Kristaps Porzingis, according to Real GM's Keith Smith.

Porzingis, 22, scored 18.1 points and averaged 7.2 rebounds in 66 games in his second year in the league last season. As a rookie, the former No. 4 pick averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds.

The Knicks had until Oct. 31 to pick up team options for the 2018-19 season, according to Smith.

Porzingis will earn $4.5 million this season and $5.7 million next season. The Knicks can offer him a $7.5 million qualifying offer for the 2019-20 season, according to Spotrac.

Knicks F Kristaps Porzingis and Dallas Mavericks legend F Dirk Nowitzki both exchanged positive words about each other's game, per NBA.com's Shaun Powell. 

Both playing for Team World at the NBA Africa Game in Johannsburg on Saturday, they were teammates for the first time, and Porzingis took advantage of the opportunity by picking his role model's brain. 

"He's a guy I've always looked up to," Porzingis said. "It's not fair for me to be compared to a legend like him." 

After a turbulent offseason involving trade rumors, Kristaps Porzingis is excited to get things started this year with the Knicks. 

"So far it's been tough in New York, but my journey is only beginning and I hope to stay there my whole career, so as a city we can have some fun and win some games and do something big," Porzingis told Shaun Powell of NBA.com. "For me, it's now home."

Knicks F Mindaugas Kuzminskas says Kristaps Porzingis has made peace with the team and is happy to be a Knick.

Kuzminskas' Lithuania and Porzingis' Latvia will face each other in an exhibition game this weekend in route to the European Championship. The two have been working out together this offseason as Kuzminskas spent time with Porzingis in Latvia where he also attended his kids camp. 

The 6-foot-9 Kuzminskas is certain that Porzingis has buried the hatchet, and is happy with being in New York. 

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

The New York Knicks are among six teams who have already made an offer to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Kyrie Irving, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Approximately 20 teams, according to Wojnarowski, have inquired about Irving since he reportedly requested to be traded out of Cleveland, however the Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat are the only teams to make an offer for the 25-year-old former No. 1 pick.

The Knicks and Cavaliers have been in trade talks that focused on swapping Irving for Carmelo Anthony with a potential third team being involved, however the Cavaliers, according to Wojnarowski, are seeking a return of young players and draft picks similar to what the Denver Nuggets acquired from the Knicks in exchange for Anthony in 2011.

In the latest installment of JRSportBrief on SNY.tv, JR discusses why it'll be difficult for the Knicks to land the Cavs' Kyrie Irving.

The 25-year-old Irving requested a trade from the Cavs last week, listing the Knicks, Spurs, Timberwolves, and Heat as his preferred destinations.

The Knicks were reportedly in serious discussions with the Cavs on Friday about sending Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland as part of a deal for Irving.

Knicks star F Kristaps Porzingis believes New York gives him the best opportunity to win, per The Post's Marc Berman. 

The quote came from a question posed by a camper rather than a reporter. Porzingis attended a Latvian basketball camp of about 250 kids, and he told the group why he doesn't want to leave the Knicks. 

"I feel that it is the best place to win. And if you win in New York, you are king," Porzingis said in his native language. "For the last two years, I have had so many positive emotions here that this is where I want to stay and that this is where I want to win."

The Knicks and Cavaliers are in serious trade talks focusing on swapping F Carmelo Anthony and PG Kryie Irving with a potential third team involved, reports Yahoo Sports' Jordan Schultz. 

ESPN's Ian Begley reports the Knicks are not willing to deal F Kristaps Porzingis, but they would be willing to send future first-round picks with Anthony for Irving. 

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Irving has requested a trade from the Cavs, and the Knicks are one of his preferred destinations, along with the Spurs, Timberwolves, and Heat.

Knicks president Steve Mills and new GM Scott Perry highlighted the team's young core and stressed the importance of defense during Perry's introductory press conference on Monday.

Mills singled out Kristaps Porzingis, the recently-signed Tim Hardaway, Jr., first-round pick Frank Ntilikina, and Willy Hernangomez as the Knicks' young core.

"Player development will be a focus of our organization," said Mills, who noted that he and Perry will "work in tandem in making sure we have a first-class operation."

ESPYs host, future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning, took some shots at the Knicks in his monologue Wednesday night.

Manning didn't have just one joke about the Knicks, but rather several that focused on their debacles from the Charles Oakley incident to Phil Jackson's firing.

"Kristaps Porzingis couldn't believe how dysfunctional it is at Madison Square Garden, and that dude grew up in Latvia," Manning said. "What a terrible year for the Knicks: They had to escort a former legend out of the builidng for acting like a crazy person, and then there was that whole thing with Charles Oakley.

"Phil Jackson's Knicks are the most embarrassing thing to happen to New York sports, and that includes the time Mark Sanchez ran full steam up his teammate's anus and fumbled a football." 

Kristaps Porzingis and Courtney Lee will both suit up for Team World in the second-ever NBA Africa Game, the league announced. 

The game, which will take place on Aug. 5 in South Africa, will pit Team World vs. Team Africa. Dirk Nowitzki and Kemba Walker will be captain Team World, while team Africa will be led by Luol Deng and Thabo Sefolosha. 

While former New York Knicks president Phil Jackson was reportedly shopping forward Kristaps Porzingis prior to the NBA Draft, head coach Jeff Hornacek said he believes the team will hang onto the former No. 4 pick.

"I think it was out there that Phil was listening, but he wasn't out shopping KP," Hornacek told ESPN's Ian Begley on Sunday after a Summer League game. "We love KP and what he does so I don't see him going anywhere."

Jackson alluded to trading Porzingis prior to the draft after the 21-year-old forward skipped his exit meetings at season's end. The Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics were among the teams that expressed interest.

"You know as much as we value Kristaps," Jackson said in an interview with MSG, "and what he's done for us, but when a guy doesn't show up to an exit meeting, everyone starts speculating on his duration or movability from a club. We're listening, but we're not intrigued yet at this level. But as much as we love this guy, we have to do what's good for our club."

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek believes Kristaps Porzingis is prepared to take a more significant role in the team's offense, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.

"That's his next steps in his growths as a player, to be able to handle some of that," Hornacek said, according to ESPN. "He's going to have to take that next step of taking over. I think he's probably ready for that."

Hornacek's comments came just days after the departure of team president Phil Jackson.

Porzingis, 21, played in 66 games last season in his second NBA season. He averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.5 assists per game.

The Knicks and team president Phil Jackson have "mutually agreed to part company," the team announced Wednesday morning.

Knicks owner James Dolan bought out the two years and $24 million remaining on Jackson's contract, reports Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News.

Bondy notes that the decision to part ways with Jackson was partly due to the feuds Jackson was having with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

Since the news of the Knicks possibly trading away F Kristaps Porzingis surfaced, teams have taken to social media to recruit the young star, per NY Post's Jaclyn Hendricks.

The latest stems from Mallory Edens, the daughter of Bucks' owner Wes Edens, as she hilariously referenced Porzingis' "unicorn" nickname. 

In a separate Tweet, she told Porzingis, "we got a plane heading from NYC to MKE tmrw afternoon if u need a ride."

Knicks president Phil Jackson has not ruled out the possibility of trading F Kristaps Porzingis, and many teams are interested, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

In talks with the Suns about Porzingis, the Knicks have expressed interest in acquiring either Devin Booker or Marquese Chriss and the fourth overall pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft, according to Yahoo! Sports, though Phoenix is not interested in dealing either Booker or Chriss.

Jackson had said trading Porzingis was "off the table" already this offseason, but clearly that isn't the case. According to ESPN's Ian Begley, Porzingis' brother, Janis, says the New York star wants to stay with the Knicks and will play out his contract. If he is traded, though, he will explore free agency.

The Knicks continue to keep a close eye on top draft prospect, Kentucky PG De'Aaron Fox, according to Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News. 

Knicks personnel, along with Phil Jackson, were in attendance to watch Fox and other prospects at a Pro Day in Los Angeles Saturday. Associate head coach Kurt Rambis was also in the Knicks camp.

Fox is predicted to be taken in the top five at the June 22 draft at the Barclays Center. With the Knicks owning the eighth overall pick, it is highly unlikely Fox falls into their hands. However, young guard is keen on playing with Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis.

Knicks F Kristaps Porzingis posted workout videos to his Twitter account as he continued his offseason training.

Porzingis, 21, trained earlier this offseason by boxing.

"I'll be doing a little bit of something I haven't done before that's not attached to basketball maybe that will help my game," Porzingis told reporters. "I'll experiment a bit over the summer."

In an offseason in which the New York Knicks will keep player development coach Dave Bliss and part ways with assistant Josh Longstaff, team president Phil Jackson remains confident in Clarence Gaines Jr., vice president of player personnel.

"Phil has a small circle of friends,'' Walter Perrin, vice president of player personnel for the Utah Jazz, said, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "He has a sense of loyalty to him, someone he's felt comfortable working with in the past.''

Gaines joined Jackson's staff three summers ago, where he started as an adviser and played a big role in the team drafting Kristaps Porzingis in 2015, according to Berman.

In the latest installment of JR Sport Brief on SNY.tv, JR finds no winners in the battle between Kristaps Porzingis and Phil Jackson.

The Knicks will keep player development coach Dave Bliss on staff for next season, according to the NY Daily News.

Bliss has received high praise from Kristaps Porzingis as the two have worked exclusively on improving his toughness and physicality in the post. 

"He's big and phyiscal with me," Kristaps said to Bleacher Report last season, "and that's been the toughest thing for me to deal with since coming into the league, so we work on that every, but he's also always talking to me, giving me advice."

This news came hours after it was said the Knicks wouldn't renew the contract of assistant Josh Longstaff, who was also a favorite of Porzingis. Longstaff flew overseas to work with him last offseason, and the Knicks' star requested to have him on the Latvian national team staff for the European championships this summer. 

The New York Knicks parted ways with assistant coach Josh Longstaff, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy.

Longstaff, 34, joined the Knicks in September 2014. was considered one of the hardest-working members on the Knicks staff, a source told Bondy.

Among his responsibilities included developing young players who would be used in New York's rotation, notably Willy Hernangomez, Ron Baker, Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway, according to Bondy.

Last summer, he spent time with Kristaps Porzingis in Latvia to help him work on his game. Longstaff was Porzingis' favorite assistant coach, according to Bondy.

A recent meeting between Kristaps Porzingis' brother, Janis, and Knicks president Phil Jackson did not end very well, according to the New York Daily News.

Janis represents Kristaps, who is currently overseas. The two sides met after Porzingis missed his exit meeting last month, and a team source told the Daily News that Jackson is remaining "steadfast in his ways and direction." 

Janis told ESPN earlier this month that his brother feels at home in New York and wants to remain there.

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said on Thursday that there is no doubt in his mind that Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis will remain with the team, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday.

Earlier this week Porzingis' brother, Janis, told ESPN that the Knicks star wants to stay but also wants the team to focus on winning and player development.

According to ESPN, Porzingis missed exit meetings following the season and was reportedly frustrated over dysfunction on the Knicks, who ended this past season with a 31-51 mark. 

In the debut of JR Sports Brief on SNY.tv, JR dishes on Kristaps Porzingis' tweet, Melo's issues, and the one guy who could help the Knicks.

A tweet was released from Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis' twitter account on Saturday night that referenced the Los Angeles Clippers. The post said "LA Clippers" with three smiley faces and it was deleted shortly thereafter hitting the web.

According to the New York Post, Porzingis doesn't always post his tweets personally, leaving open the possibility that he was hacked.

A rep for Porzingis told ESPN's Ian Begley that Porzingis was sleeping when the tweet was published and his account was hacked...

The Knicks received possible trade calls from teams around the NBA days after forward Kristaps Porzingis skipped his post-season exit meeting with President Phil Jackson and General Manager Steve Mills, according to a report from Ian Begley of ESPN.com.

Porzingis has been frustrated with the direction the franchise is headed in and according to ESPN, is not pleased with the drama and dysfunction surrounding the organization. 

Frank Ntilikina of Strasbourg and former UCLA guard Lonzo Ball are among the NBA prospects who were invited to the NBA combine but will not attend, according to DraftExpress.

There are 66 players who are attending the combine, including Malik Monk and Markelle Fultz, who is widely considered the draft's top prospect.

Ntilikina, a 6-foot-5 point guard, is 18 years old and has averaged 5.2 points, 1.2 assists and 17.5 minutes in 27 games for Strasbourg International.

The Knicks will enter the offseason with upwards of $20 million in cap space to pursue free agents, and with the likely departure of Carmelo Anthony, New York will certainly have some holes to fill.

One potential target is Washington's Otto Porter, who averaged 13.4 points on 51.6 percent shooting to go with 6.4 rebounds, all career-highs, and 1.5 assists in 80 games this season. Porter also showed his ability to shoot from long range by going 43.4 percent from the three-point line, another career-best.

Many believe Porter, who is a restricted free agent, will sign a max contract this summer, which could be worth up to $128.2 million over five years.

Another potential Knicks' targert is Chicago's Michael Carter-Williams, who will also be a restricted free agent.

Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis announced he will play for the Latvian national team during this summer's European championships, but did not clear it with the New York organization beforehand, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy.

"Kristaps is in a position to decide for himself on playing for the national side," Porzingis' older brother and agent, Janis, said in Latvian, according to a transcript, when the 21-year-old Knicks forward was asked about New York's role in determining his status for the European championships.

Porzingis, who skipped his exit meeting with president Phil Jackson due to his reported displeasure with the team's handling of Carmelo Anthony, has not spoken with the team since. However, he expressed his will to be a Knick both in the short- and long-term future.

"My next focus is national team,'' Porzingis said, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "My third season is still far away. The main thing is to put in a lot of work during the summer to be ready, first for national team, then for next season. The European championships ends before the official NBA camp starts, so I have enough time to turn back to New York. I'll be there on time."

While he loves New York, Kristaps Porzingis made it clear that being in a situation that gives him a chance to win will be the most important factor for the Latvian star when deciding whether or not to re-sign with the Knicks in two years.

"Absolutely, I want to stay here all my career,'' Porzingis said about re-signing in New York, according to the English translation provided by Sporta Avize, a Latvian sports magazine. "But the thing I want most of all is winning. When the time comes, I will seriously start to think about it. Right now I just try to do my best."

Sources say Porzingis is unhappy with Phil Jackson's treatment of Carmelo Anthony. When asked about Anthony's situation with the team, the 21-year old said the media helped exaggerate the tension between Jackson and the veteran forward.

On the final episode of TheKnicksBlog Podcast, Anthony Donahue and Moke Hamilton run the gamut on everything going down with the Knicks. The guys discuss Phil Jackson's struggles running the organization, Carmelo Anthony's future, Kristaps Porzingis' refusal to meet with the front office, the NBA Draft, and free agency.

Click below to listen...

Kristaps Porzingis says he loves New York and still wants to be a member of the Knicks, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Porzingis will leave for Latvia on Thursday without meeting with Phil Jackson, but said blowing off his exit interview is not a sign that he doesn't want to play at Madison Square Garden next year.

"Of course," Porzingis said when asked if he wants to be a Knick next season. "I love New York. I love New York."

According to Berman, New York was not given an explanation behind the 21-year old Latvian's decision to skip the scheduled meeting with Jackson on Friday. But sources say that Porzingis is upset with the way the franchise has been run, with Jackson's poor handling of Carmelo Anthony and going all-in on the triangle offense.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive

On Friday, Phil Jackson dismissed the notion that his treatment of and the drama surrounding the Carmelo Anthony situation would impact his reputation or hurt the Knicks' chances with forthcoming free agents.

Prior to that happening, though, Kristaps Porzingis had reportedly skipped out on his exit meeting. Following Jackson's comments, Michelle Roberts of the NBPA released a statement calling Jackson's remarks about Anthony "inappropriate."

At 21 years old, Porzingis may have jumped the gun by being insubordinate. There are other ways to express a feeling or send a message. Nevertheless, what the young gun did was bold. In a way, his actions were an opportunity to stand up for Anthony...

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv: Kristaps Porzingis reportedly skipped out on his exit meeting with Knicks' brass, which isn't something one would expect the leader of a team to do. The man otherwise known as the "unicorn" may already be considered the forthcoming savior by some, but Phil Jackson doesn't believe he's ready to carry the Knicks just yet.

"No I don't. He's 21 years old. That's a big load for anyone to take on," the executive said when asked if Porzingis was ready to be New York's number one option.

Such a question was posed after Jackson revealed he will look to trade Carmelo Anthony and that the forward would be "better off somewhere else."

Frustration is mounting surrounding the disarray this team is in, which would appear to explain Porzingis' absence. With Jackson ready to continue exploring deals for Anthony, it would make sense for the Knicks to go back to basics and begin building from scratch, save for say, Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, and a few complementary role players. During this transition and Anthony's expected departure, Porzingis could be embraced and groomed as the starring attraction New York needs.

Kristaps Porzingis declined to attend team exit meetings at the conclusion of the New York Knicks season, Ian Begley of ESPN reported on Friday night. 

Citing team sources, Begley says that the two-year veteran and former first round selection is frustrated with the team's lack of direction. The Knicks failed to make the playoffs for the fourth straight season and only notched a 30-51 record.

University of Washington guard Markelle Fultz said it would be "amazing" if the New York Knicks were to draft him in June.

"It's close to home, my family can come out. This is the greatest place to play, really," Fultz told the New York Post's Zach Braziller while watching Sunday's Knicks-Raptors game. "Big [arena], a lot of good fans. ... This is a legendary place."

Fultz, who is considered to be one of the top picks come June, averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 25 games as an 18-year-old freshman for the Huskies.

Without Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony and (unexpectedly) Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks could only muster three quarters of contention and fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 88-101. 

Despite lacking all of it's starpower, New York kept it close for the majority of the game. However, the playoff-bound Grizzlies began to pull away in the game's final stage.

Kristaps Porzingis offered a blunt assessment of the Knicks' season on Thursday, saying the team "didn't do it from the beginning the right way."

The 21-year-old noted that a lack of fundamentals was a key reason for the Knicks' struggles this season. "We didn't have real fundamentals as a team," Porzingis said. "I think from the beginning, it worked for us because we played based off our talent and based off of good energy, and once things got a little tougher, we just didn't have the fundamentals as well."

Porzingis also responded to head coach Jeff Hornacek's comment that the club would work on fundamentals in training camp later this year. 

Jeff Hornacek hinted to reporters on Monday that the Knicks will be working on upgrading their defense during the offseason.

"I think if you look at our defense this year, we can use some more defensive players," Hornacek told Ian Begley of ESPN. "[Management] will look at that. [General manager] Steve [Mills] and [president] Phil [Jackson] and those guys will look at whatever can help us out. We know we need some help there."

New York has been in the bottom third of the NBA on defense throughout the entire season, which was a significant factor in the team missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season. However the Knicks will have a top-10 pick in this year's draft, and can have nearly $25 million in cap space to spend in free agency, depending on their decision on the future of Derrick Rose with the franchise.

Derrick Rose scored 27 points, Kristaps Porzingis had 25 and the New York Knicks handed the Detroit Pistons another damaging defeat with a 109-95 victory Monday night.

Carmelo Anthony returned from a two-game absence due to a sore left knee and added 21 as the Knicks snapped a five-game losing streak and avoided playoff elimination.

Marcus Morris scored 20 points but Detroit dropped its fourth straight and fell 1 1/2 games behind Miami for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Ish Smith had 15 points while former starting point guard Reggie Jackson didn't play.

Knicks C Willy Hernangomez has been a soild offensive contributor but knows he needs to improve defensively.

"I have to be way more focused on defense," Hernangomez said Saturday, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. "I think from the beginning of the season right now I improved my defense, but it's not enough. One of the biggest things I have to work this summer is going to be my defense so next year I can defend [centers] and [power forwards]."

Hernangomez scored a career-high 24 points on Saturday while grabbing 13 rebounds in 36 minutes. He is averaging 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 63 games this season, during what is his rookie campaign.

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said Hernangomez needs to be more assertive, citing a couple of plays from Saturday night's game...

With the NBA Draft just a few months away, the Knicks are reportedly interested in drafting Kansas combo forward Josh Jackson, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

While this year's draft is considered to be one of the best point guard drafts in years, the Knicks have identified Jackson as a player with a triangle skill set because of his superb passing ability.

The Knicks could also use Jackson as a potential replacement for Carmelo Anthony should the team decide to trade their star player this offseason.

The Knicks continue their road trip with a matchup against the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Thursday night at 10 p.m.  

According to STATS:

• Portland is 7-2 in its last nine games against the Knicks, though the Trail Blazers lost on November 22 in New York (107-103), and lost their last time hosting the Knicks (112-110 on December 12, 2015).
• The Blazers are 8-3 (.727) in March, tied for third best in the NBA. They had a three-game win streak snapped with Tuesday's 93-90 home loss to the Bucks.
• The Knicks dropped their third straight game last night in Utah, 108-101. New York is 3-10 (.231) when playing on the second of back-to-back days this season.

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said he isn't sure whether the current roster can work within the Triangle and get the team to the playoffs next season.

"You never know how these things will fit," he said, according to the NY Post. "Maybe a second year is helpful for us. I thought we got off to a decent start this year, then we had little injuries and lost close games and it piled on in confidence, got a little out of control. I don't know. It's something we're going to really look at.''

Hornacek added that his idea of injecting a more modern system to go along with the Triangle wasn't the best, and that he isn't sure which players should remain when the team implements the more classic system.

Of the core players, the Knicks are expected to again explore a trade of Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose will be a free agent.

Knicks F Carmelo Anthony sat out the entire fourth quarter on Monday night during the team's loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles.

"Coach is starting to realize - he mentioned today he's going to start shortening minutes,'' Anthony said, according to the NY Post. "I've been understanding with the situation. I understand.''

"All the young guys, it's an opportunity to get that experience instead of getting practice experience, individual workouts - actually getting it live and direct in a game against top-level opponents," Anthony continued. "It's best to take advantage of that and for me to help them.''

Jeff Hornacek agreed with Kristaps Porzingis' notion from last week that the Knicks did not play like a team this season, and felt that the team's downfall was because his players were not unselfish enough on the offensive end.

"You see teams - open guys always end up with the ball,'' Hornacek told Marc Berman of the New York Post at Monday's morning shootaround before the Knicks faced the Clippers at Staples Center. "Here we do it in spurts. Then we have spurts where it sticks. One guy will take a shot that maybe he can move it on for a better shot. That's probably the biggest key is we get the good shots. We don't get the great shots. If we make one extra, we'll get a great shot. You see the good teams out there, they pass it up for better ones.''

Hornacek hinted that the offensive skill level of New York's trio - Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose - may have acted as a double-edged sword, as it led to them constantly looking to take shots instead of making the extra pass.