The New York Knicks didn't sign big man Kristaps Porzingis to a rookie scale contract extension, causing some to surmise the star 7-footer was unhappy with the organization.

Knicks president Steve Mills, however, quickly shot those rumors down, saying Porzingis is not disgruntled and is on the same page with the franchise. Appearing on “The Michael Kay Show” on Wednesday, Mills explained the move was in the best interest of both the club and the player since it will give New York an additional $10 million to spend next summer in free agency, via Ian Begley of ESPN.com.

“We believe it was the smart move,” Mills said. “But primarily because over the summer, GM Scott [Perry] and I sat down with KP's brother [Janis Porzingis] and talked about the different options that we have in front of us as it related to his extension. We were clear that the best option to make the Knicks a better team long term and have a better group of guys that KP can grow with long term was to not do the extension at this point. We think it ended up in a situation that's best for the long-term view of the Knicks which ultimately will be the best in the long term view for KP because he'll have a better team that he'll be part of.

“We've been very straightforward in our communication with KP's brother, who is his agent. KP has a long history with us. One thing about my relationship with KP is that when he is unhappy about something or disappointed about something he's been very forthright in coming to me and saying, ‘Steve you know what? I'm not happy about this.' And throughout this whole process he's been very excited about David Fizdale as the coach, he's been very excited about the players, the young players that we have. So I think we're in a good place.”

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Porzingis suffered a torn left ACL in February and underwent season-ending surgery shortly after. The Knicks have been vague about when he is expected to be ready to play again.

Before getting hurt last season, Kristaps Porzingis was averaging 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 48 games while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Knicks are not expected to contend for a playoff spot this year, so rushing Porzingis back wouldn't make much sense.