IT’S A FRANK CONVERSATION
Future for Ntilikina will likely be decided over Knicks’ final 11 games
Frank Ntilikina could return as early as Wednesday, and these final 11 games – while largely inconsequential for the Knicks – are among the most important of the Frenchman's young career.
After missing 23 consecutive games with a groin strain, Ntilikina was cleared to practice Tuesday with the GLeague affiliate because the Knicks were off. His status for
Wednesday's game against the Jazz is dependent on how Ntilikina feels out of practice, but coach David Fizdale may also opt to hold the 20-year-old until after he practices with the Knicks on Thursday.
In the time Ntilikina has missed, the Knicks traded for a new young point guard – Dennis Smith Jr. – and continued to push Emmanuel Mudiay as the primary ballhandler. With just 25 starts in his two NBA seasons, Ntilikina's future is very much up in the air after these 11 games.
The Knicks could trade Ntilikina in the offseason and there was a market ahead of the February deadline. They didn't bite on previous offers, but that doesn't mean they won't in the future.
A source told the Daily News that GM Scott Perry, who was hired after the Knicks drafted Ntilikina, approached a member of the Hawks front office to test his appetite for a deal before the February trade deadline. The Hawks, however, have Trae Young and weren't interested.
The Knicks already have three guards under contract next season in Smith Jr., Damyean Dotson and Allonzo Trier. Mudiay is a free agent and a favorite of Fizdale, who set the market for the 23-yearold by declaring last week, “he has proven himself to be a real rotation player in this league.
But none of those players are particularly good at defense. Dotson is the most wellrounded of the bunch. Trier is additionally plagued by tunnel vision and has recorded almost as many turnovers (116) as assists (119). Ntilikina, on the other hand, is a strong defender and is content not taking shots. That could be useful in a lineup with, let's say, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Most project Ntilikina as more of an offguard anyway.
Still, there's no doubt Ntilikina has been a big disappointment as the eighth overall pick in 2017. If that continues through these next 11 games and the Knicks can't find a suitable trade, it's entirely possible they decline Ntilikina's contract option for the 2020-21 season. From the 2015 rookie class, two top-5 picks – Jahlil Okafor and Mario Hezonja – didn't have their fourth-year options picked up.
So, again, there's a lot at stake for Ntilikina and a lot of reasons the Knicks should give him plenty of opportunities down the stretch of this season.