The Knicks got Dennis Smith in the Porzingis trade, and just handed a big (although short) contract to Elfrid Payton, so what about Frank Ntilikina? He looked really good for France in the FIBA World Cup, so it looked unlikely that the Knicks would shop him, but then again (a) they are the Knicks (who thought they'd trade Porzingis?) and (b) he was drafted by Phil Jackson specifically because he'd be good in the triangle, and pretty much all other traces of PJ's tenure have been erased. (Also, according to the Detroit Free Press the Pistons are after him.) We've just seen how egregious our perimeter defense is, and with Dame, CJ and Simons as our top 3 guards, it's not really a big surprise. I think Ntilikina would actually complement any one of those three perfectly - he's big enough to guard the SG, he's got PG skills and he can defend - he's like what we hoped Evan Turner would be. I'd certainly be willing to give up Gary Trent and Nassir Little for him, or Rodney Hood even - anyone with me? Check out what he did to Kemba Walker this Summer:
Wouldn’t give up Hood as that would leave us extremely thin at small forward. However I doubt Knicks would be want him anyway. I would give up someone who can match salaries (he was no. 8 pick so he’s on considerable amount of money) and a heavily protected first (like top 25 for two years, conveys into a second rounder) which is possibly as much as Knicks can get anyway.
I tried thinking about this, but I don’t know how to pronounce his name, so in my head, it was like “should the blazers acquire ol’ what’s his name?” and the answer to that, is always maybe.
Frank was also showing out pretty well at FIBA iirc. I wouldn't be opposed to acquiring him, but I dont see a way (right now) without giving up more than I want to risk.
Ntilikina is a basketball player that can contribute right away to a good team, he will make important plays and will do things that don't show on statsheet. He cannot put up those empty stats that a circus team like Knicks wants so sooner or later they will start shopping him as he will not perform up to their "standards". Maybe he can be had cheap enough, but it's bad we don't have 2nd round picks left so nothing really that would interest them and I don't think we are willing to part with our young guys. Unless they want Trent. I'd take Ntilikina in a heartbeat over a guy like Hezonja though.
I would rather have Herzonia in the game with our guards who can shoot 3's, than Ntilikina in there with forwards who can't shoot 3's. We are talking about a Terry Stotts offense.
I don't think Hezonja makes any positive impact anyway,so I prefer whom I believe can become a better basketball player.
Everything Evan Turner was supposed to do? He actually does. He can guard 1-3. He's 6'6" with a wingspan over 7'.
I have my hopes for Hezonja, but he doesn't strike me as having the same BBIQ as Ntilikina. Or defensive skills: I believe Kemba Walker would destroy Mario if he tried to guard him.
Now imagine Kemba guarding Hezonja. And just because Hezonja is the “point guard” on offense doesn’t mean he guards the opposing teams point guard on the other end.
True Mario can not guard quick PGs. On the other hand I doubt Ntilkina at 200 lbs can guard many PFs. I would love to have him as a back up PG, but I would not trade Herzonia for him. We already lack players in the 6'8 220-230 range. Not giving him up for the Knicks 5th string PG. https://www.espn.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/ny/new-york-knicks
Haha I feel the answer to every deficiency this team has is Hezonja! Boy we got the new king now that LeBron's end is coming closer.
GET US NTILIKINA NEIL https://nypost.com/2019/10/26/point...ld-in-fourth-in-embarrassing-loss-to-celtics/