The New York Knicks will be very busy looking for key players they can add once the off-season arrives. To their luck, upcoming free agents are reportedly interested with rookie Kristaps Porzingis more than any other young players in the league.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that free agents are interested not with the Lakers' young core of Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and their upcoming pick, but with the Knicks' rookie, Kristaps Porzingis potential to become a legitimate superstar for the years to come.
The 7'2" Latvian has been a revelation this season. Booed during last year's draft night, Porzingis proved that he is indeed the one of a kind talent Phil Jackson saw him to be. In fact, he set a statistical record no rookie has done in the league recording 1000 points, 500 rebounds, make more than 75 threes and block 100 shots.
Hence, rumor has it that some superstars are considering the Knicks as their next destination such as OKC Thunder's Kevin Durant. However, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News debunked the speculation by writing, "Kevin Durant is the top free agent, but is not considering the Knicks, according to sources."
Fortunately, Durant said earlier the 2015-2016 season that if word did not came from him, his agent or his best friend/manager, it is probably not true. This even got him in an altercation with ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith after calling the latter, a liar.
With a lot of salary cap space, the Knicks could sign even two maximum contract stars thanks to the $24 billion TV deal. Aside from Porzingis, the Knicks have other core players to offer in Carmelo Anthony and Arron Afflalo, who thinks he is still one of the best two-guards in the NBA.
"I still believe I'm one of the premier two guards in this league and part of being an elite two guard in this league is opportunity," Afflalo told ESPNNewYork.com in an interview.
Meanwhile, forward Derrick Williams also played the best season of his career with the Knicks, who was seen as an afterthought after being drafted 2nd behind Kyrie Irving in the 2011 NBA draft. He also plans to stay with the Knicks as he confirms he will pick-up his player option for next season.
Here are some of Porzingis' highlights this season that turned a lot of heads this season.