Knicks pick up Ntilikina’s option, don’t extend Porzingis (yet)

Today was a pretty important day across the NBA: the deadline to pick up team options on rookie contracts and to extend players in the final seasons of their rookie deals.

The Knicks just so happen to have two such players, and the predictable result ensued for both. First off, Scott Perry and Steve Mills made the no-brainer decision to pick up Frank Ntilikina’s third-year option, ensuring that he’ll remain a Knick through at least the 2019-20 season:

That third-year option will likely be followed by the Knicks picking up Ntilikina’s fourth-year option this time next year. But as we saw with now-Knick Mario Hezonja and the Magic last season, it’s not always a guarantee. So, uh, good job doing the logical thing, Knicks!

Secondly, the Knicks predictably did not come to an agreement with Kristaps Porzingis on a rookie contract extension. This was also a smart move.

As Mr. Begley notes, by not extending Porzingis, the Knicks actually stand to gain a good deal of cap room for their rumored pursuit of a top free agent next summer. The reason being, Kristaps’ cap hold (the amount that he counts for against the cap prior to being re-signed) is about $10 million less than what a max rookie scale extension would put him at (roughly $17 million cap hold vs. $27 million extension salary).

So, once again, bravo to the Knicks, even for something this simple! I’m still getting used to this competence being commonplace.