2d
Frank Ntilikina Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 07/28/98
Height: 6-4 / 1.93
Weight:190 lbs. / 86.2 kg.
Salary: $4,855,800
Born: 07/28/98
Height: 6-4 / 1.93
Weight:190 lbs. / 86.2 kg.
Salary: $4,855,800
There is so much uncertainty with the coronavirus pandemic, but one thing is for sure: the salary cap will be lowered, according to league sources. On the surface, that makes it advantageous to build around younger players on cheaper contracts. That said, if Rose has young assets to tempt the Thunder this offseason, sliding Paul into cap space will be easier than fitting in a top free agent. That’s because the Knicks would have to give up pacts such as those of Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox to make the trade.
The NBA would take the initiative in finding gym spots for Knicks and Nets players to work out in whatever city they are quarantining in on Friday. Most Knicks are scattered across the country. It is believed only Taj Gibson and Frank Ntilikina are still in the New York area.
Knicks executive Allan Houston recorded a shooting video for kids via NBA Cares and the Knicks’ website. In addition, rookie Ignas Brazdeikis recorded readings of children’s books for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. And Frank Ntilikina recorded a video for the Garden’s Make a Wish Foundation.
The longest-tenured Knick will enter the final year of his rookie contract, making a hefty $6.2 million in 2020-21. Knicks fans either love or hate their 2017 lottery pick it seems. “Knicks fans, they love the team,’’ Ntilikina said. “They really want the team to be successful. They really have that drive with basketball. Also that’s what makes it really special to be able to play at the Garden.’’
Frank Ntilikina’s home base is France, which is on a lockdown, making it more complicated. The U.S. is not accepting flights back from France. International players “can’t currently leave the country,” according to an NBA source. “It’s crazy how things can change from one minute to the next.” Ntilikina wrote on Instagram. “Over the last few days, we have learned that we are all equal. When it comes to global health. I just want to first and foremost to wish to all the people infected by the virus a speedy recovery.
Ntilikina admitted he was “really scared’’ at first but felt the U.S. was starting to become “more prepared.” “We can avoid being sick if we are safe, really good hygiene, take care of ourselves, wash our hands, avoid handshakes,” Ntilikina said last Tuesday at Georgetown. “I think with us and people that are in the league it’s much more elbow to elbow shakes, stuff like that, just being more cautious.”
Marc Berman: Things are worse in France, says Ntilikina. No fans at soccer. Said he’s been “scared” for his country. pic.twitter.com/dpA2bY5Rwi
Chris Iseman: Frank Ntilikina is available today.
Chris Iseman: Frank Ntilikina (sore groin) is out tonight, Knicks say
Steve Popper: Elfrid Payton is out tonight. As is Ntilikina
Stefan Bondy: Frank Ntilikina is starting at shooting guard. Barrett is available and coming off the bench.
Per SNY sources, Frank Ntilikina’s name has also come up in conversations between the Knicks and Warriors around Russell. Some people around Russell said over the summer that he was open to the possibility of signing with New York because he liked the city and he was intrigued by the idea of competing so closely with the Nets — the team that decided to sign Kyrie Irving instead of bringing him back.
Mike Vorkunov: Frank Ntilikina is out for tonight’s Knicks game in Indianapolis, the team says. Elfrid Payton is suspended. Seems like Dennis Smith Jr. would get the large share of minutes at point guard. Kadeem Allen should get some time too.
Ian Begley: Frank Ntilikina said his groin ailment acted up prior to tip-off on Wednesday’s game against Memphis. He said he’s feeling better. His status for the Pacers game is uncertain, based on how he feels Saturday
Mike Vorkunov: A “We want Frank” chant breaks out at Madison Square Garden. Frank Ntilikina hasn’t played yet tonight. He played 3 minutes last night. The Knicks are down by 20 to the Grizzlies in the 3rd quarter.
Steve Popper: As expected Marcus Morris is starting and Frank Ntilikina is available
Stefan Bondy: Marcus Morris and Frank Ntilikina have been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Suns. Dennis Smith Jr remains out.
Rebecca Haarlow: Frank Ntilikina is OUT tonight vs Milwaukeee. @MSGNetworks
The source said it was the Pistons who initiated discussions with a package centered around Drummond and another Pistons player for big man Julius Randle and guard Frank Ntilikina, a player the Pistons have previously tried to pry from the Knicks.
Chris Iseman: Knicks say Reggie Bullock is probable for tomorrow’s game against the Blazers. Damyean Dotson (sore lower back), Frank Ntilikina (sore groin) and DSJ (strained left oblique) are all questionable.
26 Dec 19
Payton made his second straight start against Washington on Monday and notched 12 assists, but missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in the 121-115 loss. It could be a permanent look, raising questions about Ntilikina’s long-term future as a Knick. Ntilikina had started 23 of 24 games before Saturday — missing one game with an injury. Ntilikina had left the locker room before reporters were let in Saturday night. In breaking his silence, the 2017 lottery pick said, “[Payton’s] playing great basketball. It looks easy for him, seeing the court, making those guys comfortable. He’s a great teammate that I can learn a lot from.”
One NBA personnel man told The Post Ntilikina would have been better off spending at least one more season overseas, in a higher-quality European league than in France. Instead, Ntilikina entered the NBA as a 19-year-old and former Knicks president Phil Jackson drafted him at No. 8 to run the triangle. Jackson was fired days later. “I’m comfortable,’’ Ntilikina said of the switch. “It’s just a role change. When I’m on the court, I know it’s my job. I got to do my job and bring everything I can to the team.’’
With the trade deadline a few weeks away, we’ve been asking teams about the trade value of some of the Knicks. We also asked a few teams about Frank Ntilikina’s value: “They drafted him at eight (Ntilikina was the eighth overall pick in 2017) and they’re obviously not going to get back a top-10 pick for him,” one team said. “But he still has value. A lot of people value him around the league because he’s still young (21) and he plays defense. His shot isn’t there, but there’s reason to think he can improve. Getting a second round pick for him, that’s not even a question. I’m not sure about a first, maybe a late first. You can’t rule it out. Crazier things have happened in this league.”
Entering Friday’s game against Miami, he’s averaging six points, three assists, 1.3 steals and two rebounds per game. He’s shooting 38 percent overall and 34 percent from beyond the arc. “I think teams definitely still value him. Maybe you can get a late first from someone for him because he’s still young,” one team said. “Maybe it’s like a (Markelle) Fultz situation where it’s best for both parties to move on. You know he can defend. You just don’t know what he can be offensively. He’s been so inconsistent there.”
Another team isn’t as high on Ntilikina: “I think they could get back another young player that’s been struggling or a second rounder. Definitely not a first.” A team we spoke with that didn’t rule out the possibility of New York getting a late first for Ntilikina suggested a team may value the known quantity in Ntilikina over the unknown of a draft prospect. “You know what you have (in Ntilikina). Is he better than a kid coming into the draft that you’d get at the end of the first round?”
Stefan Bondy: Julius Randle and Frank Ntilikina both participated in practice and are expected to play tomorrow in Miami. Knicks are trying to win for the fourth time in five games. Allonzo Trier (concussion) and Wayne Ellington (sore Achilles) remain out.
Chris Iseman: Ntilikina, Morris and Payton have been cleared to play, Knicks say
Chris Iseman: Frank Ntilikina (sore upper back) is questionable for tonight vs. the Bucks. Marcus Morris (cervical spasms) is out. Two-way player Kadeem Allen has joined the team in Milwaukee.
Mike Vorkunov: David Fizdale says Frank Ntilikina may miss the next game with his back injury, but the coach doesn’t believe it’s “severe.”
“Sometimes they’ve got to go through some tough love to find themselves and watch the game from 25,000 feet, see it, and see the things that I’m emphasizing,” Fizdale said. “I was tough on Frank last year and I just feel like Frank has come back with a whole different mindset about how he’s going to go about this season. I’ve been so happy with the way he’s played and produced. But I do think a little bit of tough love on some of these young guys isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Ntilikina said that he learned from his own benching last season and even early this season. “To stay with it,” Ntilikina said of the lesson. “Control what you can control. And see how I can affect the team even when I’m not playing, talk to teammates, give advice, be a great teammate and keep working in practice, keep working on your game, and the opportunity will come. Obviously it’s a long season. An opportunity will come. Most of it is how can I be a good teammate and still be part of the team.”
Stefan Bondy: Ntilikina got some advice from J Cole today: “He was talking about some mind space. Usually people are not always like this. But it was really cool to have a conversation about how we can do better in this world, either him with music or us about basketball. It was just amazing.”
Ian Begley: Kenny Atkinson said Frank Ntilikina’s defensive pressure has always given BK trouble. “He’s on our scouting report. We understand the defensive presence he represents. I think he’s getting more confident offensively, from what I’ve seen on film.” Called Ntilikina a growing player
Stefan Bondy: Kenny Atkinson is a big fan of Frank Ntilikina: “He’s always given the Nets trouble. He just has his pressure defense. He’s changed games, he’s won games against us almost single-handedly. I know he’s on our scouting report. We understand the defensive presence he represents.”
Mike Vorkunov: Knicks 123, Cavaliers 105 Knicks now 4-10 Julius Randle with 30 points, a NY high, and 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Marcus Morris with 23 points. RJ Barrett with 15 points. Ntilikina with 6 points and 6 assists. Knicks bounce back from trouncing against the Cavs last Sunday.
But the 21-year-old seems to be trending in the right direction, in part, because of his approach to the game. In the past two seasons, there were times when Ntilikina, admittedly, wasn’t as confident as he wanted to be. He worked on his mental approach in the offseason (more on that here); it seems like the fruits of that labor display.
