Things didn't end well between Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks.
After three seasons, one All-Star appearance, and a torn ACL, the relationship soured between KP and New York, resulting in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019.
Regardless of the breakup, Porzingis still harbors fond memories of his Knicks tenure.
Two years after the trade that sent him and Tim Hardaway Jr. to Dallas in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr. and two first-round picks, Porzingis opened up about his feelings towards his first team and former place of residence.
“I miss the city. I miss this place,” Porzingis said Thursday, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “A lot of great memories. Every time I come back, it’s special. A lot of people here still recognize me and show me love and support. It’s always good to come back.”
Smith Jr. was a bust for the Knicks and recently traded to the Detroit Pistons. However, the cap space the organization cleared from the trade allowed them to sign All-Star Julius Randle.
Led by Randle, New York is 24-24 this season in their first season under head coach Tom Thibodeau, and Porzingis is impressed from afar.
“They’re good, they’re playing physical,” Porzingis said of the Knicks. “They’re playing a little bit slower but they take their time and they have good group, They play hard defensively. Very solid team. They’re not a team we can overlook and think that we’re going to come in there and beat them. Especially when they’re at home. So we’re going to take them very seriously and prepare for them.”
Porzingis averaged 17.8 points in three seasons for the Knicks. He's averaged 20.4 PPG in 87 games in Dallas.
With a 10-percent attendance capacity currently in place at MSG, the former Knick won't face the same volume of boos as he did first time he returned to the Garden as a Mav, in 2019.
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