Despite only being in the league for two seasons, Kristaps Porzingis is close to becoming one of the better players in the NBA today. There are only a few more aspects of his game which he needs to work on, as well as having a couple more pieces around him at the New York Knicks in order to reach the next level.However, during the era of Phil Jackson at the Knicks, his future with the team was in doubt, as Jackson wanted to trade away the Latvian because he didn't show up to his exit meeting at the end of the season.That's right, Jackson wanted to trade away one of the most promising players in the NBA today who averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over 32.8 minutes per game for the Knicks this past season. Now that Jackson is gone though, that isn't happening.

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Porzingis has already said recently that he would like to stay in New York for the rest of his NBA career as he believes it is the best place for him to win and that he's had so many positive emotions there over the past two years.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN, his future with the team has been confirmed as the Knicks picked up the 2018-19 team option on his contract on Wednesday.

This is big news as it shows the Knicks are still heavily invested in the 22-year-old despite the fact he missed his exit meeting and despite Jackson's attempts to trade him away earlier this year.

Porzingis will make $5.7 million during the 2018-19 season and from next summer, the Knicks will be able to sign him to an extension worth up to $156 million over five years.

Much of the Knicks talk now is focused on the future of Carmelo Anthony as his future with the team is uncertain. He still won't waive the no trade clause of his contract unless he is traded to the Houston Rockets. If that does happen, Porzingis will become more of the focal point of the team on offense.

With or without Anthony, it's going to be a very challenging season for Porzingis and the Knicks, as they look to get the team back to the playoffs for the first time in four years.