New York Knicks NBA Trade and Roster Rumors: Team Expresses Interest in Point Guard Frank Ntilikina
France's Frank Ntilikina started out as the international man of mystery in this year's draft class, but he's drawing a lot of attention lately because of his length (close to 7-foot wingspan) and point guard skills.
The New York Knicks have scouted Ntilikina in France, and according to ESPN's Ian Begley, some team officials liked what they have seen in him. He was also spotted working out at Carmelo Anthony's gym in Manhattan.
Well, it's a little awkward to see him practice in a gym owned by a player who is currently on the outs with the Knicks president Phil Jackson, but that shouldn't matter.
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The team's former European scout, Tim Shea, also thinks highly of Ntilikina and he believes the young point guard is going to be a lottery pick in this year's draft.
"He's a killer. Definitely a lottery pick, top seven. Right now he's a backup, but he can get out there and he'd be great for Kristaps [Porzingis]. He'd be happy to see him, too," Shea told the New York Post.
"He's got big hands, quick hands who gets steals, passing ability. He doesn't have his shot 100 percent yet — it's still developing. It's good, not great — but he's a point guard, intelligent on the floor," he continued.
At 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, Ntilikina has the physical tools to become a solid defensive player. The Knicks should definitely give him a long look because Derrick Rose could leave this summer.
Ntilikina will probably receive boos and jeers from some Knicks fans if the team picks him over a homegrown talent like De'Aaron Fox. But that happens all the time.
Despite the usual public outcry on draft day, the Knicks have actually drafted well in the past few years by selecting international players Kristaps Porzingis in 2015 and Willy Hernangomez in 2016. Fans actually booed Porzingis when he was drafted. Imagine that. And he's arguably their best player right now.
