Porzingis craves playoff experience, wants Knicks to add vets at deadline
The New York Knicks are still very much in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which is why franchise star Kristaps Porzingis is hopeful the team prioritizes ending its five-year postseason drought, rather than tanking away their remaining games.
"Playoff experience for myself, individually, would be huge at this point in my career - the sooner, the better," Porzingis said Monday when asked what he'd like the Knicks to accomplish prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. "And for most of the (Knicks) - most of the guys haven't felt that playoff experience that everybody talks about - that the guys talk about that have been there.
"For myself, selfishly I would want to play in the playoffs but we'll see what happens and how we can end the season."
New York's 22-28 record (.440) has them just four games back of the Philadelphia 76ers for the eighth seed, and five games back of the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers for the sixth and seventh seeds, respectively.
Veterans like Enes Kanter and Courtney Lee have seen their fair share of postseason action, and thus would provide the knowledge and mentoring for which Porzingis yearns. Both Kanter's and Lee's names have been tossed around in potential trades of late, sources told Begley.
Regardless of the path Knicks management chooses, Porzingis has made his wishes crystal clear, so whatever happens is ultimately out of his hands.
"I think they know I want to be in the playoffs and that's the only thing on my mind. I'm not going to go in there and be like no, we're tanking. There's no reason to play," Porzingis added. "(Making the playoffs is) only thing I'm focused on. What I need to do on the court to play better, make my team win."
The Knicks are 5-14 since Dec. 12, which has brought them back down to earth after starting the year hovering above the .500 mark at 17-14.