Frank Ntilikina has seemingly been on the trade block since he arrived in New York, as I wrote in the team’s Trade Deadline Primer. The former No. 8 overall pick is in the final season of his rookie pact and he’ll have a hefty qualifying offer of $15.6 million should a team tender him. Doing so would give the Knicks or the team he’s traded to the ability to match any offer.
“Chances are it’s not picked up,” a rival executive tells FortyEightMinutes.com. “His next deal won’t be as extravagant.”
Ntilikina is likely to follow the trend of many former top-10 picks that land in other spots, usually on a discounted deal, and attempt to reupholster a career.
Former No. 4 overall pick Josh Jackson, who inked a two-year, $9.8 in Detroit is the latest example of a player latching on elsewhere on what appears to be a team-friendly deal. Marquese Chriss was showing promise in his Warriors before a leg injury sidelined him for the season and fellow 2016 top-10 pick Kris Dunn is inching closer to his debut for the Hawks in his ultra-important second contract in the league.
Ntilikina’s journey is likely to see him take a similar path. The 22-year-old Frenchman hasn’t seen much run this season, though he’s logged 57 minutes in the three games leading up the Sixers contest. Derrick Rose being out, coupled with the looming trade deadline (it’s no secret that many teams attempt to showcase certain players), are among the reasons why he’s seeing a boost.
During his time on the court, Tom Thibodeau is using Ntilikina just a bit differently than past coaches (though worth noting that he’s never really had a consistent role outside of stretchs during his rookie season). The Frenchise is playing off the ball slightly more, seeing his usage rate dip to a career-low 14.8 percent (16.3 is his average). That coincides with a much more drastic dip in turnovers per 36 minutes (cut from 2.2 in each of the past two years to 1.0 this season) and an increase in steals (2.4 after averaging 1.4 in his first three seasons). Thibs has done a nice job of attempting to solve the best way to use Ntilikina, which could raise hope for him around the league.
Ntilikina hasn’t worked out as a top-10 pick but his story is far from written. Whether he gets another chapter with the Knicks or starts a new one with another club as soon as this Thursday remains to be seen. Either way, there’s still ink in the pen; just don’t expect a team to use it to sign his qualifying offer this summer.
