Shortly after getting hired in spring 2018, Fizdale was on a plane that August to Latvia with his wife, Natasha, to smooth relations with Porzingis. “He and I discussed a lot of stuff,’’ Fizdale said. “We had a lot of conversations. Obviously I went and spent a ton of time with him. He had to do with what he thought was right for him. And I respect that. This league, ultimately you never know when you’re going to cross paths again and when you’re going — you may end up coaching the guy again.”