IT’S NO DEAL FOR FRANK
With no extension Ntilikina will be free agent after this season
Given the circumstances, it’s a minor miracle Frank Ntilikina has lasted this long in New York. But continuing the partnership wasn’t the Knicks priority when given the chance. Ntilikina, 22, confirmed there were no discussions with the Knicks about a contract extension before Monday’s deadline. The former 8th overall pick, who was drafted by Phil Jackson just before the Zen Master was fired in 2017, will become a restricted free agent after the season.
“It is what it is,” Ntilikina said. “Right now I’m more focused on the game and on the season. That’s what my main focus is on.”
Four of the six players picked ahead of Ntilikina in 2017 agreed to extensions before Monday’s deadline, including max deals for Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox.
Two others — New Orleans’ Lonzo Ball and Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen — held discussions with their respective teams but couldn’t agree on terms. The Knicks also have the 2017 ninth pick in that draft on their roster, Dennis Smith Jr, but he’s been a disappointment and didn’t get a contract extension. Smith Jr. was acquired two years ago from the Mavericks as the main piece of the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
The Knicks haven’t signed a draft pick past their rookie contract since Charlie Ward, who was picked in 1994, and it’s doubtful Ntilikina will break the streak. The Knicks can still match any offer in the summer, but it’s telling they didn’t engage the Frenchman in extension talks.
The Knicks have multiple guards who could play above Ntilikina (Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks, Austin Rivers, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock), and his preseason was cut short by a sore Achilles. Ntilikina was activated for Wednesday’s regular-season opener at Indiana.
Although drafted as a point guard who could navigate Jackson’s triangle, Ntilikina’s future is likely off the ball. Thibodeau said he appreciates Ntilikina’s versatility, and also used the question to highlight Quickley.
“The thing I like about him is he can do both (on the ball and off the ball) — same thing with (Quickley),” Thibodeau said. “I think what we’ve seen a lot of now is you have a point guard, you have three wings and you have a big. So it’s not traditional like it has been in the past. And I like the fact that we have point guards that can do that.
“Quickley did that in college, similar to the way I used my guards in Chicago,” Thibodeau continued. “And I think it’s a great advantage to have because defensively, point guards are used to guarding guys off the dribble. And how you can put them in catch-and-shoot, going around screens, that sort of thing. So sometimes you can gain an advantage that way.”
ROBINSON STARTS OPENER
Mitchell Robinson made a semi-surprising appearance in the starting lineup Wednesday.
Immanuel Quickley, however, came off the bench.
Tom Thibodeau’s first group in the opener against the Pacers was a mix of youth and veterans, with Elrid Payton at point guard, Reggie Bullock and RJ Barrett on the wings, Julius Randle at power forward and Robinson at center.
Robinson, 22, wasn’t in the lineup for the preseason opener less than two weeks ago, serving as the backup to Nerlens Noel. But Noel sat the final two exhibitions with a minor injury, and Robinson won over Thibodeau.
His preseason finale was a gem: 12 rebounds, four blocks, zero fouls.
“We feel very strongly about that position. Actually both guys had very good camps. Nerlens got nicked up a little bit so he sat out the last two,” Thibodeau said. “But we had very strong play from both guys. Mitch is really working hard in practice and growing. That’s a positive sign and he has to keep going.”
Quickley, the 25th overall pick last month, was probably the biggest revelation in preseason with the way he led the offense. But Payton is more experienced and got the nod.
“I think it’s a compilation of things. It’s how things have gone in practice, the games, the way the groups play with each other,” Thibodeau said. “And starting has never been as important as finishing for me. But I think we’ll be looking at the different combinations. The guys that are performing well, playing well, will be the guys who are out there.”
The other tough decision was Bullock over Alec Burks, and Thibodeau indicated the latter is better-suited for a second-unit with less playmakers.
“I’m not sure yet if we’ll flip it again. But both guys are very effective with the starters and both guys are very effective with the bench,” Thibodeau said. “Both have a strong defensive presence. I think Alec is very good off the dribble and has playmaking capabilities. So I think that’s a good complement for that group.”