4:55pm: There’s no general consensus on who the Knicks will draft with their eight overall pick next week, but French point guard Frank Ntilikina appears to be a frontrunner, per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Isola states that the Knicks have a scout in Europe “babysitting” the 18-year-old and as of now, he is “their man.”
Ntilikina, who boasts a 6’5″ frame and a seven-foot wingspan, has been playing well in the French finals and has been linked to the Knicks extensively the past few weeks. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News spoke to Ntilikina recently and the young guard expressed his knowledge and interest in joining New York and learning the triangle offesne.
“I watch a lot of their games and I know how they play with their triangle offense with Phil Jackson as the president, and I know the players,” Ntilikina said. “I think it would be a good thing for me.”
Due to the length of the French postseason, Ntilikina has not been able to schedule a pre-draft workout, and with the draft scheduled for next Thursday, time is running out for the Belgium native to showcase his talents. However, targeting talented yet virtual unknowns in the NBA Draft has worked for the Knicks.
The team drafted Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in 2015 and he has developed into a potential franchise-building piece. New York has expressed its desire to get younger and more athletic while running the triangle and Ntilikina, while not a well-known name, checks both of those boxes.
The Knicks have worked out most players likely to be drafted in the top 10, along with several other players that may be targets later in the draft. At this point, the first 10 selections could go in many directions, so the Knicks’ pick is far from certain.
Makes sense. He won’t be a star for 3 or 4 years anyway. If Knicks draft him, then they should trade C.Lee for #12 pick (and draft Mitchell), trade C.Lee for Rubio and go full on rebuild. That back court would play great D and the French PG would come off the bench with less pressure.
What would Detroit want with Courtney Lee for the #12 pick? Lee is hardly that valuable and also doesn’t fit in Detroit unless SVG decides to tear it down and let Caldwell-Pope walk (who is a younger and potentially better version of Lee anyway).
Courtney Lee ain’t even worth a second rounder wtf are u talking about
Even more Ricky Rubio? As Westbrook once said “This _____ trippin “
lee isn’t even worth rubio, let alone the 12 pick
There is supposed to be an “or” between the trade proposals. Obviously, you can’t trade C.Lee twice!
Nooooo get MONK!!!
Won’t be there at 8
We saw what happened last time NY took a foreign guy in the lottery(Porzingis)
Had this for a while
So
1-Fultz
2-Ball
3-KINGS – Fox
4-Tatum
5-Sixers – Jackson
6-Monk
7-Isaac
8-Ntilikina
9-Markkanan
10-Sixers – Smith Jr
That wouldn’t be a bad draft for the Sixers. If Ball starts to slide, I think you see the Knicks make a move to get him though. Probably a trade with the Magic.
Ya I don’t think sacramento trades 5 and 10 to move up for Fox. They’ll have their pick of 1 of Fox, Ball, Isaac, or Tatum at 5, and can grab Mitchell or someone else at 10, depending on how the top 9 goes….
Also, based on what Orlando GM said, I think they’re taking whoever is there between Isaac and Tatum at 6. This could leave Monk and/or Smith somehow falling towards 10-11 depending on what Minnesota does, barring trades….I could see several possibilities still out there. I’ve also seen Markannen falling in some views, which makes me wonder about how much else he will do besides shoot it. Some people have Zach Collins over him
No way Jackson falls that low.
Can he run the triangle?
Why all the hate against the Knicks….Courtney Lee is a more than capable SG and is worth a pick… he also has a pretty cheap contract for multiple years and doesn’t look like he’s breaking down anytime soon. unfortunately Lee has a ceiling that has already capped I believe. But why wouldn’t he be worth a 12 draft pick. He’s proven unlike any of the draft candidates yet.
Personally I think we should try to move 8, Lee, and O Quinn for some later first round draft picks because this whole 1st round is stacked. I like Donovan Mitchelle over Dennis Smith Jr. Also like that Luke Kennard. He can be a replacement for Lee. Also like Justin Jackson.