Latvia or Las Vegas?
Kristaps Porzingis told The Post he will have a big decision on his hands soon. Three days ago, the Latvian National Team was chosen to compete in the Olympic qualifier in Belgrade, Serbia, from July 4-10 with a chance to make it to the Summer Games in Rio.
The 7-foot-3 Latvian, who finished with seven points and seven rebounds in the Knicks’ 102-84 win over the Suns on Friday night, said he would love to play. Latvia is deep in his heart, but he also knows the timing isn’t great. The Knicks still may want him to play in another Las Vegas summer league and the club begins practice during that time frame. Summer league, however, could be deemed past his level coming off his phenomenal rookie season.
Nevertheless, the Knicks might want Porzingis to work with coaches on individual skills in Las Vegas and later in Tarrytown.
Porzingis said it will be his call.
“It would be a dream come true for Latvia to make the Olympics,’’ Porzingis told The Post. “I have to make a decision. If I want to work on my game individually or play for the team. It’s different ways [of developing].’’
Carmelo Anthony (USA) and Jose Calderon (Spain) are expected to play in the Olympics in August, their nations having already qualified. Porzingis already has chosen the Knicks over Latvia once before, when the Baltic country finished eighth in the European Cup last August. Porzingis chose to be in Tarrytown to work on his body after getting selected No. 4 in the draft.
One scenario is missing the qualifier and joining the club if it advances to the Olympics.
“They’re good and getting better,’’ Porzingis said. “I thought they did good in the European Cup. I think we’d have chance with or without me. But I have to make a decision.’’
Latvia will be in a group with Japan, Czech Republic, Serbia, Angola and Puerto Rico.
Latvia’s highest-drafted NBA player before Porzingis was 7-foot center Andris Biedrins, who played for Golden State and Utah from 2004-14. Biedrins is no longer part of the Latvian program. Their other two standouts are point guard Janis Streinieks and shooting guard Davis Bertans.
The Knicks aren’t certain what the offseason regimen should be yet as they see how the rest of his rookie season plays out. Porzingis will hit the 50-game mark Sunday versus Golden State — which is the amount of games he played last season in the Spanish League.
Porzingis finally missed an NBA game for the first time Thursday in Toronto with an upper respiratory infection. He had a cold for several days, but it escalated. He returned to action Friday versus Phoenix.
Porzingis’ goal was to play all 82 games but he’ll now have to settle for 81 of 82.
“He was disappointed he couldn’t play, not because of the 82 games, but because of what his teammates mean to him,’’ coach Derek Fisher said before the Knicks faced Phoenix. “He felt like it was unfortunate he couldn’t be out there for his team. By default, that won’t give him a chance to play all 82. It seems like he’s more disappointed from that standpoint than his own situation.’’