The New York Knicks can't seem to escape controversy, and that was certainly the case when star center Kristaps Porzingis skipped his exit interview with team management.

At the time, it was reported that Porzingis's beef was with team president Phil Jackson, who has since parted ways with the Knicks.

However, according to a recent report by NBA insider Peter Vecsey, that may not be the case, and Porzingis's frustrations may lie with someone else in the organization.

Vecsey reports that Porzingis clashed with coach Jeff Hornacek, who didn't appreciate the way the star center behaved as the season wore on (via SNY.com): 

"Porzingis' swagger swelled in direct proportion to his mounting stature with the Knicks and within the NBA," Vescey writes in this article. "He resented being singled out for criticism and acted out accordingly. He developed an annoying habit, for example, of parking in spots at the team's practice facility designated for management.

"By then, utter alienation already had occurred."

In order to try to curtail Porzingis's behavior, Hornacek took an unusual approach, according to Vecsey. Instead of confronting the talented player directly, the coach went through some back channels to try to shame his star.

Vecsey said Hornacek tried to get Porzingis's best friend - Willy Hernangomez - to get him to shape up as the season went on:

"Willy Hernangomez is Porzingis' best friend on the Knicks," Vecsey reported. "Mindlessly, Hornacek got Hernangomez alone one dreadful day and conveyed to him what he should've to Porzingis face-to-face: 'Tell your guy to stop playing like a pu--y!'"

Obviously, that didn't sit well with Porzingis, who then decided his best recourse was to skip out on his exit interview after the Knicks' abysmal, drama-filled season came to an end.

This new information is interesting, because while Jackson isn't with the Knicks anymore, Hornacek remains the coach of the team. Whether Porzingis can put the perceived slights of last year behind him remains to be seen, but it seems there's a lack of trust between player and coach.

Clearly, if there's a problem between Porzingis and Hornacek, it would seem the coach would be the one the team would get rid of. There are plenty of talented coaches out there, but there aren't many 7-footers with the skills that Porzingis has.

Though it's shaping up to be another long year in New York, Porzingis is set to take another big step forward. Last year, he averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, and those numbers should only go up this season.