The New York Knicks' growing tension with injured forward Kristaps Porzingis could result in an ominous approach that could end up in the organization deciding to trade him before the Feb. 7 deadline, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

UPDATE: An updated report by Wojnarowski said the Knicks were left with the impression that Porzingis prefers to be traded ahead of the deadline. The Knicks have already started preparations in potential packages they'd take for Porzingis.

“Porzingis, sidelined for nearly a year with an ACL injury, can become a restricted free agent this summer. Increasing tensions on both sides could culminate with the Knicks initiating trade talks prior to Thursday's trade deadline or in the offseason to move Porzingis out of New York, league sources said.”

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The 7-foot-3 All-Star forward recently met with Knicks' brass to get some clarity in the franchise's plan for the future and his role upon returning from his year-long absence since first suffering the injury last February.

The frustration between both sides has been palpable for a while, especially after the Knicks recently dropped to the NBA's cellar after a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, now sporting a 10-40 record this season and in line for the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft.

Teams have long wondered for a pathway to acquire him, and now there could be one if the two sides don't mend fences quickly enough — especially considering that drafting a talent like Zion Williamson could quickly change the infrastructure of this team, putting Porzingis' future in potential peril.

Porzingis was averaging a career-best 22.7 points per game before going down with his injury, named an All-Star for the very first time and in his third season in the league, boasting clear potential for more as a rangy and fundamentally-capable perimeter-oriented stretch-four.