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New York Knicks: What does Kristaps Porzingis want to happen to Carmelo Anthony?

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) laugh on the court during second half time out against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) laugh on the court during second half time out against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a lot of talk surrounding Carmelo Anthony possibly leaving the New York Knicks, what does Kristaps Porzingis want?

“Obviously, I want him to stay here. We need him. I need him,” Kristaps Porzingis told the Daily News. “And we don’t want to lose him.”

Their first season together hasn’t resulted in a trip to the playoffs, but the Knicks are much better than they were last season, and Anthony has become a better all-around player on offense. Porzingis will certainly benefit as long as Anthony is on the team, as the attention given to Anthony on offense will give Porzingis good open looks if Anthony is able to get him the ball.

“I need him, No. 1, to learn from him. And to win. We need him to win,” Porzingis told the News. “Without him, it would be much more difficult. Him leaving would be tough but I’m not worried about that, I don’t think it’s going that way. He’s been loyal. I think he loves New York. And that’s the most important thing.”

Even though he has been great in his rookie season, Porzingis is looking towards improving with Anthony for next season.

“Definitely (improving my post game is important). I have a great guy to learn from, Carmelo Anthony. So I’ll be working out with him probably in the summer,” Porzingis said to the News. “I’ll try to find the right people to work with, to learn more and maybe an ex-NBA player who is really good in the post, somebody I can find who can help me with that. Put in the work come back next season better.”

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The Knicks are certainly heading in the right direction with Porzingis growing as a player, but Anthony isn’t getting any young, and a title still doesn’t appear close for the Knicks. Anthony has been loyal so far to New York, but another losing season has to be hard on him, even if the future is looking better.

While Anthony’s future in New York is a big question, Porzingis also has a big question surrounding him this summer.

One of the big questions surrounding Porzingis individually is whether or not he is going to play for Latvia in the Olympics this summer.

“I’ll sit down with Phil, Steve (Mills) and Kurt and just really hear their opinion because that’s the most important. They’re the guys who take care of me so I want to hear their opinion about it,” Porzingis said. “Really think about it. Sit down with my family. Obviously, if they don’t want me to play, 100 percent, then I will probably listen to them. But at the same time, I really want to help my national team. It’s a big opportunity for us to make it to the Olympics. So I really just have to sit down with a fresh mind and make the right decision.”

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This free agency will be an important one for the Knicks as they certainly hope that they can land a point guard this offseason to hopefully propel them into the playoffs. Porzingis may want Anthony to stay, but this is something that is out of the control of the young star.

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