After the Knicks' 95-92 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, forward Bobby Portis made his intentions to stay with the team for the rest of the season clear.
"I'm 24 years old," Portis said. "I'm not doing a buyout. I'll make as much money as I can for my family. (I'm) 24. Not even thinking about a buyout at 24. I'll probably set a record for as the first guy to do a buyout at 24. It's just not even in the equation."
In his first season with the team after signing a one-year, $15 million contract over the summer, Portis is averaging 9.4 points in 20.9 minutes per game.
He's shooting 34.9 percent from three point range, while also averaging 5.2 rebounds per game. Though, the big man from Arkansas doesn't plan on leaving the Knicks for a playoff contender anytime soon.
"I don't like giving up on things," Portis said. "I'm from the South. When you start something, you finish it. That's my slogan my whole life. Through ups and downs, you ride though it. You can't give up on something you signed up for. I'm up for the test."
The Chicago Bulls selected Portis with the No. 22 pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He played for the Bulls from 2015 until February 6, 2019, when he was traded to the Washington Wizards. Portis played just 28 games with the Wizards, but averaged a career-high 14.3 points per game with the team.
The Knicks have won four-straight games after their win over the Pistons on Saturday night, and are now just five games out of the eight seed in the Eastern Conference. Portis and the team will look to extend their winning streak on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks (14-39).