“I’m happy to be a Knick,’’ Ntilikina said Sunday in his first comments since April while dropping by the Knicks’ 105-100 overtime summer league loss to the Suns. “I still take as much as I can get from every situation. I’m still in a Knick jersey. I’m happy to be here. I work very hard to make this situation successful.’’
Frank Ntilikina Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 07/28/98
Height: 6-5 / 1.96
Weight:190 lbs. / 86.2 kg.
Salary: $4,855,800
Born: 07/28/98
Height: 6-5 / 1.96
Weight:190 lbs. / 86.2 kg.
Salary: $4,855,800
The Knicks talked to at least one team about a trade involving Ntilikina and the return of an early second-round pick prior to the NBA Draft. They also discussed deals around the return of a late first-round pick. Some teams considering Ntilikina were wary of making the trade before the draft because his $5 million salary would impact their cap space in free agency and they couldn’t be sure of what they were getting in Ntilikina.
Stefan Bondy: Frank Ntilikina will not be playing Summer League with the Knicks, according to a source. He plans to play with the French National team in the World Cup which starts at the end of August.
27 Jun
Because he makes $5 million next season and still hasn’t proven himself durable or productive enough for a mid-lottery pick, the Knicks had entertained offers for the French point guard on draft night and at February’s trade deadline. But the offers weren’t deemed worthy of a player who is a known stout defender and still has upside as an offensive player if he can improve upon his 3-point shooting (career 30.5 percent).
