Frank Ntilikina‘s name has come up increasingly frequently in trade rumors in recent months, with Ian Begley of SNY.tv writing that the Knicks talked to at least one team prior to the draft about trading the former No. 8 overall selection in a deal for an early second-round pick. The Knicks have also discussed moving Ntilkina for a late first-round pick, Begley adds.
Still, Ntilkina remains under contract in New York for now, and told reporters – including Begley – this week that that’s just fine with him.
Assuming the Knicks don’t move Ntilikina before the season begins, he’ll once again face plenty of competition at the point guard spot in 2019/20. Dennis Smith and Kadeem Allen will be back, with Elfrid Payton entering the picture as well. Head coach David Fizdale had Ntilikina play minutes at the two last season, so we’ll if the team tries that again next year.
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York franchises:
- Russell Westbrook isn’t currently on the Knicks‘ radar, a person familiar with the situation tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. If Westbrook remains on the trade block on December 15, when New York’s offseason signees become trade-eligible, the Knicks could explore that avenue, but the team doesn’t plan on doing so for now, says Berman.
- In an interesting piece for Sports Illustrated, Chris Mannix offers some behind-the-scenes details on the Nets‘ pursuit of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. According to Mannix, the Nets’ medical staff did all the research they could on Durant’s Achilles tear, but had limited information from afar. Days before free agency, GM Sean Marks gathered them and asked for a show of hands on who would be in favor of committing to Durant on a four-year, maximum-salary deal. Every hand went up, per Mannix.
- After signing a new two-year contract with the Nets, Theo Pinson is making his case for a regular-season roster spot, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Pinson’s new deal has a second-year team option, notes Keith Smith of RealGM (Twitter link).
I like Frank. But Fizdale doesn’t, and with this roster it’s almost unimaginable that Frank will ever get a real chance at any spot. His 4th year (2020-21) option needs to be exercised (or not) in October. The only way his value increases from here is if he makes the French team, and plays in the Euro tourney. Wait that out, but after it, they should get what they can. Regardless of what he can be, he can’t be it here sitting on the bench. They didn’t even let him play in the G-league.
Ntilikina has a chance to be a 2 way combo guard, that can guard multiple positions. Fizdale probably likes him the most, which is why he is trying to develop him into a winning player, with better habits. That’s what I’m trying to explain. He is trying to create a certain culture. Knicks fans have been without one for so long, they dont remember what it looks like. The problem is when the front office messes up the plan.
Fizdale likes him-? Are you serious? If so, why not get him minutes in the role that he sees for him-? Or let him go to the G-league and get minutes in any role-? You’re saying that was Moe and Larry-?
Is there is a conflict in Stoogeville-? I did believe that Vonleh, Mudiay and Kornet were Fizdale favorites, but how do they not come back for the pennies they got if that’s so-? If Fizdale isn’t being heard, he should leave. Otherwise, he’ll go down with the other two.
I think they’re at least developing a reputation that if you work hard and do the things he is trying to, they can help guys in their careers. Vonleh and Mudiay made significant strides. I think the reason they dont send Frank to the d-league is that it could have an opposite effect, and you dont want to expose him to situations that could hurt. He is better off learning and continuing to work on his game. I could see him getting d-league minutes next year, if he isnt in the rotation, for the confidence boost, as you take what you’ve been working on, and go down there and try to dominate for a couple of games. I expect a legitimate jump for him, after 2 years of working on his body and his game, and learning nuances that are important to what I think Fizdale wants him to be…
All that being said, I still think Fizdale and Steve Mills arent entirely on the same page. I cant tell if Perry has power or not, either. Some of what they’ve done contradicts things they’ve said. I know where Fizdale is trying to do, but not the other guys, if that makes sense
The moves they’ve made keep me wondering what minutes their young guys will see this year, as I’ve said. That is an issue, in my opinion
These guys are so young. I still hear people trash Kevin Knox at 19, which is a total joke. They need a chance to develop. The problem is they signed 87 free agents that will take time away from all their young guys this year. I expect RJ Barrett will be a project for Fizdale in teaching him how not to be a ball stopper, and have a little more awareness in certain situations. He wont be a Wiggins. You can tell Barrett actually cares.
Might as well wait for Frank to play for France and assess the market at that point. I don’t think his trade value could be lower than it is now.
Like a lot of young point guards, Ntilikina needs time and minutes to develop. Since NY won’t give him either, he should request a trade or ask to be waived.
I’m quite certain that a few teams would pick him up on a cheap 2 or 3 year deal to see where he goes. He’s an excellent defender already, and if he can find his jumper, he’ll be a decent 3-and-D guard if nothing else.
Frank plays defense that doesn’t fit the Knicks
The issue is that Fizdale stinks the place out. Last year he would have won the Worst Coach Of The Year award, if it existed!
This year in my opinion Payton should be the starter, with DSJ backing him up, so either Allen or Frank as the third PG, the other one should be gone by the start of the season.
I really hope Fiz doesn’t wrecks the superstar that RJ should be in this league.