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NFT: Knicks Chat: More moves? Knicks done?

DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 9:11 am
-58 mins ago – via Sporting News
Saric could find himself on the trade block by Thursday. The Wolves likely would prefer to wait until the offseason to make a trade involving what was supposed to be the most valuable piece they got in return for Butler, but according to one league executive, “He could be had for a decent offer, a first-rounder and a player.”

-58 mins ago – via ESPN
Brian Windhorst: Jeremy Lin is out there. I think there is a good chance Jeremy Lin is going to get traded to somebody who needs a quality guard.

(Linsanity aside, Jeremy Lin is a solid NBA guard. People often refuse to acknowledge this given his time here. Don't look now but the Hawks could be a team to watch quicker than we think. TONS of picks, Trae Young is legit, Collins is one of the most underrated young bigs in the league, Huerter is having a solid age 20 season. I'm not saying it happens overnight but they are a team to watch.

-Brian Windhorst mentioned that New York plans to keep the two-time NBA rebounding leader, though many have expected Jordan to end up as a buyout candidate (via ESPN):

“One thing I’ll say about the Knicks: they’re making it look like they intend to keep DeAndre Jordan. You can extrapolate this out: [He] has a relationship with Kevin Durant. Although I don’t know how [the Knicks can retain the big man]. I mean, they can’t keep him at any real number.”


But one more-modern legend says that Harden’s ball-dominant style during the streak, while impressive and perhaps even necessary, will not help the Rockets win an NBA title. Surprisingly that legend is Kobe Bryant “I’m not a fan of in terms of winning championships, I don’t think that style is ever going to win championships,” Bryant, the former Los Angeles Lakers star said in a clip released from an upcoming episode of ESPN’s “The Jump.” – via USA Today Sports
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Wall  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 1:05 pm : link
to be out 12 months wow. Disaster.
here's a Knicks footnote from ESPN:  
Del Shofner : 2/5/2019 1:12 pm : link
Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Mr. Plus: Khris Middleton (MIL) was a plus-61 in three games last week.

Mr. Minus: Damyean Dotson (NYK) was a minus-53 in four games last week.
RE: Wall  
TyreeHelmet : 2/5/2019 1:16 pm : link
In comment 14287999 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
to be out 12 months wow. Disaster.


Worst contract in maybe all of sports. That deal kills that franchise.
RE: Is there a Gofundme I can donate to that will send Lavar back to  
giants#1 : 2/5/2019 1:18 pm : link
In comment 14287992 Really said:
Quote:
where ever he's been for the last year or so?


Let him stir shit for LA!
Future draft picks or not  
Mike in NJ : 2/5/2019 1:29 pm : link
I can't see that Lakers offer being the best New Orleans can get for Anthony Davis. Having Davis locked up for the next half dozen years or more pretty much guarantees that none of those future 1sts from LA is going to be very high.

The marquee piece of the trade would be Brandon Ingram, who is now in year 3 and basically shown nothing to make you think he is potentially anything more than a borderline All-Star at best. Kyle Kuzma is very overrated off of a fast start to his rookie year, he has been an average player over the last year and a half. They already have a better 6'9'' ex-Laker on the roster in Julius Randle. As for Ball, he has underperformed compared to expectations, comes with a ton of baggage, and clearly has no interest in being in New Orleans.

It makes so much more sense for them to just wait it out and see what else they can get. The possibility of Boston including Tatum or the Knicks with their draft pick is much more appealing than the pupu platter from the Lakers.

Just comparing it to what the Knicks could offer, factoring age/years left of team control/upside, is Knox that far off in value than Ingram? I don't think so. And similarly, is their that big of a difference at this point between Ball and Dennis Smith? Factor in the Knicks 2019 pick, the unprotected Dallas pick, and someone like Mitch Robinson, I think I would prefer a Knicks offer to what the Lakers can give them.
Some thoughts on what is going on behind the scenes  
Pan-handler : 2/5/2019 1:45 pm : link
On the trade rumored for KP going to the Pels for Davis that got shot down by DlNew Orleans: Whats not talked about is the trade likely involved salary dumps that they didnt want...i.e. Lee and Hardaway. They also probably thought KP wouldnt sign with him long term or maybe even didnt like his prospects of staying healthy with his body type/ injury history.

Knicks also likely werent going to trade for him while giving up on both KD and Kyrie. So by making the trade with Dallas they cleared the space for KD and Kyrie, acquired 2 1st rd picks and some half decent tradeable young, cost controlled talent in DSJ. Now with that bird hopefully in hand, they maybe behind the scenes are still trying for AD but it depends on what Pels value most.

NYK arent going to give up the 2 max slots for AD (would we give up 1 max? that I dont know ,probably not if KD wants Kyrie) . If we need both maxes in tact, then it comes down to would Pels be willing to take our young cost controlled trio and maybe even Thomas. Because we need to shed almost ALL contracts that go into 2019-20 to be able to sign all 3. Would four first rounders + Knox, Frank, Tier, DSJ and Thomas be a good enough pkg to appeal more than the Lakers package?

The other way this works is if we trade for AD AFTER we signed KD and Kyrie. We would then by CBA rules be allowed to go over cap if we came within 20% of his 27 million owed for 2019-20 in contracts going back.

But Pels seem ready to move him now. If they dont , we could be in pretty good shape to make the deal especially if we net out with a top 3 pick (and they really like 2 others of the top 3 aside obviously Zion)
If Lakers trade for AD, will they have room for another max?  
Jim in Hoboken : 2/5/2019 2:07 pm : link
I am still worried that the Knicks won’t get two max players to come.
RE: If Lakers trade for AD, will they have room for another max?  
Pan-handler : 2/5/2019 2:13 pm : link
In comment 14288089 Jim in Hoboken said:
Quote:
I am still worried that the Knicks won’t get two max players to come.


This feels different than previous years there is so much smoke about KD to the Knicks (kinda like we heard about LeBron to the Lakers so much). Culture has changed , a player coach that players around the league love, and we cleared the room for him and another max.

RE: RE: If Lakers trade for AD, will they have room for another max?  
hitdog42 : 2/5/2019 2:17 pm : link
In comment 14288101 Pan-handler said:
Quote:
In comment 14288089 Jim in Hoboken said:


Quote:


I am still worried that the Knicks won’t get two max players to come.



This feels different than previous years there is so much smoke about KD to the Knicks (kinda like we heard about LeBron to the Lakers so much). Culture has changed , a player coach that players around the league love, and we cleared the room for him and another max.


culture has changed

- owner bans the media
- team trades one time cornerstone in disgruntled manner
- another player campaigns daily against his lack of playing time
- first round pick from 2yrs ago was stuck on bench, hasnt improved
- team runs no offense- iso aau ball.

someone sounds bitter  
nygiants16 : 2/5/2019 2:24 pm : link
Nets are supposed to be having this resurgancr, yet not a single superstar wants to go there
RE: RE: RE: If Lakers trade for AD, will they have room for another max?  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 2:29 pm : link
In comment 14288106 hitdog42 said:
Quote:
In comment 14288101 Pan-handler said:


Quote:


In comment 14288089 Jim in Hoboken said:


Quote:


I am still worried that the Knicks won’t get two max players to come.



This feels different than previous years there is so much smoke about KD to the Knicks (kinda like we heard about LeBron to the Lakers so much). Culture has changed , a player coach that players around the league love, and we cleared the room for him and another max.




culture has changed

- owner bans a single tabloid
- team trades one time cornerstone who was disgruntled because his brother is his agent who is less qualified than the food vendors at MSG
- a whack job campaigns daily against his lack of playing time who is under contract and OPTED into said contract
- first round pick from 2yrs ago was stuck on bench after getting lots of playing time because he hasnt improved like most teams who fail at the draft often because it's a crapshoot
- team runs no offense- iso aau ball. coach is so bad that even future HOFers Lebron James and Dwyane Wade have often sung his praises.

fixed that for you. I don't understand Nets' fans obsession with the Knicks. I don't know any Knicks fans who consider the Nets a rival or who gives a crap about what they do.
RE: someone sounds bitter  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 2:30 pm : link
In comment 14288116 nygiants16 said:
Quote:
Nets are supposed to be having this resurgancr, yet not a single superstar wants to go there

Of course not. They're technically in New York but the fanbase and number of fans in the stands are more like the Pelicans or the Jazz than the Knicks.
reports  
Steve in Greenwich : 2/5/2019 2:35 pm : link
are out that the Lakers have pulled out from trying to make a trade with the Pelicans now since the Pelicans trade demands are outrageous.... as they probably should be in order to not wait out til the summer.
Hoopshype  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 2:40 pm : link
had a link I can't find right now saying NO asked for the Lakers next 4 available 1sts, their next 4 2nds + Kuzma, Ball, Zubac and off-setting salary.
RE: someone sounds bitter  
hitdog42 : 2/5/2019 2:40 pm : link
In comment 14288116 nygiants16 said:
Quote:
Nets are supposed to be having this resurgancr, yet not a single superstar wants to go there


no bitterness at all. what did i say that wasnt a fact?

i hope the knicks get the FAs they want. would be good for the league. Nets are doing there own thing- and will be just fine.

the loose usage of the culture change- i just find comical.
Excellent KP info from Stein, who's been all over it...  
bceagle05 : 2/5/2019 2:41 pm : link
Quote:
A person with knowledge of the meeting, however, said it was requested by the Porzingis brothers — after they had canceled a similar meeting earlier in January — and that it lasted less than five minutes. Later in the day, according to the person, Janis Porzingis provided the Knicks with a list of four teams he and Kristaps had deemed acceptable trade destinations.
The Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers were among those teams, but Dallas was not on the list. The Knicks, meanwhile, were told Porzingis was prepared to leave the team and continue his knee rehabilitation in Spain if he was not moved by this week’s league trade deadline.
It was not long after receiving the four-team list that the Knicks notified the Mavericks they were prepared to do the deal. The maverick nature of Cuban and Nelson prompted Dallas to accept the trade with no guarantees of a long-term commitment from Porzingis since they believe they can persuade the 7-foot-3 Latvian to commit to a future in North Texas.

MarcStein - ( New Window )
RE: reports  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 2:41 pm : link
In comment 14288138 Steve in Greenwich said:
Quote:
are out that the Lakers have pulled out from trying to make a trade with the Pelicans now since the Pelicans trade demands are outrageous.... as they probably should be in order to not wait out til the summer.


Steve,
If you are quoting Brandon Robinson he's a proven fraud.
.  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 2:42 pm : link
Tommy Beer
Tommy Beer
@TommyBeer
·
36m
Would an offer of Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Frank Ntilikina, Damyean Dotson (w/ Enes Kanter and Lance Thomas salary filler), and 3 future first-round selections -
be more enticing to the Pelicans than the package the Lakers are currently offering?
these reports  
Steve in Greenwich : 2/5/2019 2:42 pm : link
Brad Turner
Verified account

@BA_Turner
More
Lakers pull out of Anthony Davis trade talks amid 'outrageous' requests by Pelicans

Adrian Wojnarowski
Verified account

@wojespn
5m5 minutes ago
More
The Lakers are still glad to engage with the Pelicans on an Anthony Davis trade, but no longer want to bid against themselves, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers are waiting for Pelicans to make a counter-proposal.
.  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 2:44 pm : link
Turner is legit. Writes for the LA Times. He "confirms" the pick request stuff too

"The Lakers were not going to give the Pelicans the six to eight draft picks they wanted for Davis, the person said, knowing that the four first-round picks and second-round picks were more than the Lakers would offer."
There's bad blood between the Pelicans and Rob Pelinka  
bceagle05 : 2/5/2019 2:48 pm : link
dating back to his days as an agent - this is no sure thing for the Lakers. Unfortunately for the Knicks, the Celtics are the most viable alternative come June/July.
some more details on KP trade  
Enzo : 2/5/2019 3:00 pm : link
in the latest Marc Stein newsletter (which is always a decent read).
...  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:07 pm : link
if the Pelicans insist  
Enzo : 2/5/2019 3:12 pm : link
on including Solomon Hill, it's going to decrease what they're getting back. Take him out of the deal and an offer that includes 3 or 4 #1 picks seems more realistic.
RE: if the Pelicans insist  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 3:14 pm : link
In comment 14288193 Enzo said:
Quote:
on including Solomon Hill, it's going to decrease what they're getting back. Take him out of the deal and an offer that includes 3 or 4 #1 picks seems more realistic.

I think they prefer to wait until the summer but want to use the deadline and fear of the Celtics this summer to see if they can scare the Lakers into some godfather offer. 4 firsts, Ingram, Ball and Kuzma alone is a ton for a guy with a year left on his deal no matter how good he is unless he's a top 10 player of all time like Lebron in his prime or something.
Not  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:18 pm : link
that I even value Lonzo but given what Lavar is saying his value has to be even lower to NO. Who wants to deal with Lavar pushing him somewhere else? Who is giving fair value for him knowing this?
the more that comes out about kp  
nygiants16 : 2/5/2019 3:19 pm : link
the more you realize janis is in ovrr his head
Not sure who's ego is worse  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 3:20 pm : link
Janis or Lavar...
Womp womp-Stein  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:21 pm : link
The Knicks approached the Sacramento Kings on De'Aaron Fox as well as the Utah Jazz on Donovan Mitchell while offering Porzingis. Both second-year players were deemed untouchable in Porzingis talks.

The Knicks always knew the Mavericks would be interested in meeting their price for Porzingis. One official from the Mavericks estimated that they approached the Knicks "about a hundred times" before they were willing to even discuss trading Porzingis.

Dennis Smith Jr. is also a second-year guard but he's had a slower start to his career than Mitchell and Fox.
RE: Womp womp-Stein  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 3:23 pm : link
In comment 14288214 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
The Knicks approached the Sacramento Kings on De'Aaron Fox as well as the Utah Jazz on Donovan Mitchell while offering Porzingis. Both second-year players were deemed untouchable in Porzingis talks.

The Knicks always knew the Mavericks would be interested in meeting their price for Porzingis. One official from the Mavericks estimated that they approached the Knicks "about a hundred times" before they were willing to even discuss trading Porzingis.

Dennis Smith Jr. is also a second-year guard but he's had a slower start to his career than Mitchell and Fox.

Fox really took a step forward this year. I wonder how much Luka impacted Smith's potential improvement from year 1 to year 2. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
RE: RE: Womp womp-Stein  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:25 pm : link
In comment 14288219 Strahan91 said:
Quote:
In comment 14288214 DanMetroMan said:


Quote:


The Knicks approached the Sacramento Kings on De'Aaron Fox as well as the Utah Jazz on Donovan Mitchell while offering Porzingis. Both second-year players were deemed untouchable in Porzingis talks.

The Knicks always knew the Mavericks would be interested in meeting their price for Porzingis. One official from the Mavericks estimated that they approached the Knicks "about a hundred times" before they were willing to even discuss trading Porzingis.

Dennis Smith Jr. is also a second-year guard but he's had a slower start to his career than Mitchell and Fox.


Fox really took a step forward this year. I wonder how much Luka impacted Smith's potential improvement from year 1 to year 2. I guess we'll find out soon enough.


I'd love to blame Luka but Smith wasn't good last year either. I say that as someone who badly wanted us to pick him.
RE: Not  
Ten Ton Hammer : 2/5/2019 3:27 pm : link
In comment 14287961 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
really sure why this is "trade happy". Bamba is 20 years old and having a very solid rookie campaign. DSJ is a year older. That's not to say he can't develop but I'm not really clear as to why him potentially improving makes him a better piece to have. Everyone is dreaming of Irving and Durant or even just Durant and someone else.. in these scenario DSJ is NOT a good fit other than maybe a scoring backup. Bamba's skill set fits any scenario going forward.


I disagree with the idea that he would somehow not be a good fit. What makes him a bad fit? He'd simply by a backup. As soon as you fill your max slots you're going to be scrambling for any and all quality players to fill out the roster, and on a budget. Especially if Kyrie is here, who misses games often enough.
I do want to see smith  
nygiants16 : 2/5/2019 3:27 pm : link
with the ball in his hands, he had 6 assists on sunday and probably should of had 10 or more
I was very annoyed about this trade last week  
Oscar : 2/5/2019 3:28 pm : link
I am fine with it now. It’s clear that the Knicks beat option was to trade him pre-deadline and it sounds like they did shop him. And the frankly the return was pretty good, DSJ who is young and could improve or be flipped to another team, two expiring contracts, two first round picks and dumping Hardaway and Lee. That is a LOT for a disgruntled player who could have walked for nothing after next season.

KP is a unique talent and I wanted it to work in New York. There is risk involved for Dallas though, he may not ever stay healthy. This is not revisionist history either, even when KP was with the Knicks my big fear was that he was simply too tall and lanky to ever really stay healthy. He’s missed a lot of time and now has the ACL.

I also always worried about his brothers who seem like complete idiots.

All around smart move by the Knicks which is rare to say.
I forgot to say. By all accounts  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 3:31 pm : link
last year Smith was as good if not better than Fox. I liked Fox more predraft but Smith has a ton of upside, just needed to improve in multiple areas where Fox didn't
RE: RE: Not  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:33 pm : link
In comment 14288224 Ten Ton Hammer said:
Quote:
In comment 14287961 DanMetroMan said:


Quote:


really sure why this is "trade happy". Bamba is 20 years old and having a very solid rookie campaign. DSJ is a year older. That's not to say he can't develop but I'm not really clear as to why him potentially improving makes him a better piece to have. Everyone is dreaming of Irving and Durant or even just Durant and someone else.. in these scenario DSJ is NOT a good fit other than maybe a scoring backup. Bamba's skill set fits any scenario going forward.



I disagree with the idea that he would somehow not be a good fit. What makes him a bad fit? He'd simply by a backup. As soon as you fill your max slots you're going to be scrambling for any and all quality players to fill out the roster, and on a budget. Especially if Kyrie is here, who misses games often enough.


He's an awful defensive player at this point and a dribble heavy scoring PG at his best. You can find scoring PG's pretty easily if you're fine with mediocre. He's been really, really bad through 102 NBA games. Veteran's will be lining up to come off the bench for the Knicks if they somehow do this. Bamba can start for this team with his length and athleticism. Smith will have no such chance if things go to plan.
Again  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:36 pm : link
Mo Bamba... 30% from 3, Dennis Smith Jr. through 102 games career 32%. If we are "assuming" Smith improves going forward in his second season why would Bamba? A year younger and already producing? Smith has had a few good games but overall he's really been horrendous. Career NEGATIVE -0.2 VORP. He's been worse than a replacement level NBA player.
Potential  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:40 pm : link
back up PG targets would include (and again this means we have fully given up on Frank even being that), Lin, Payne, Dunn, Barea, Isaiah Thomas, Ish Smith, Quinn Cook, Cory Joseph... I mean there are TONS of guys like this available via FA.
Beverley  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:42 pm : link
Shelvin Mack... Now if Smith has some big break out then that's great (obviously) but very limited value as currently constituted. So far in his career he's Mudiay. A guy the Knicks will be moving on from.
.  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:46 pm : link
The reasons LA is so desperate to get this done now:

1) AD is not a free agent until 2020, meaning the Lakers would have to preserve space until then. That’s basically punting on being a real contender in 2019-20 (LeBron’s 17th season). Not happening.
Nate Jones
Nate Jones
@JonesOnTheNBA
·
11m
2) They know Boston is determined to trade for him so the Lakers need to get this done before Boston can get in the mix in the offseason. (I also wouldn’t discount NYK potentially getting Zion as a real factor too)
Nate Jones
Nate Jones
@JonesOnTheNBA
·
7m
A lot of folks ask this, but if the Lakers don’t preserve space until 2020 (I’ve explained why they won’t), AD is going to leave the Celtics for what team?
There's more projection with Bamba.  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 3:48 pm : link
Smith has improved in every single shooting category from year 1 to year 2 so it's not a huge leap to say there's more room for improvement there. Overall, the numbers still aren't good but it's a step in the right direction at least. Bamba could too but there's just nothing to go off of at this time.

Smith is a better passer than the numbers would indicate and people give him credit for imo. He's just a bit erratic at times and doesn't take the best of shots. That may partially be the Mavs' fault who gave him the keys and let him do as he pleased as a rookie. Hopefully that pays dividends for us though.

Defensively, I don't know if he can ever be average though. His technique is awful and he has a ways to go which won't be easy at his height/wingspan.
not that smith is any good  
nygiants16 : 2/5/2019 3:49 pm : link
but when is the last timr the knicks had an above the rim point gaurd?
Oscar  
arniefez : 2/5/2019 3:49 pm : link
Agree. A very rare smart move by the Knicks. If they were run by competent intelligent people this could be their Herschel Walker trade. Not likely though considering it's the Knicks.
RE: not that smith is any good  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 3:55 pm : link
In comment 14288254 nygiants16 said:
Quote:
but when is the last timr the knicks had an above the rim point gaurd?

It's understandable if you blocked this one out of your memory. I tried but unfortunately it hasn't worked.
Link - ( New Window )
I  
DanMetroMan : 2/5/2019 3:58 pm : link
think Frank is a goner. Maybe not this week but I think they have moved on from him.
Lakers and Pelicans no longer talking?  
Ssanders9816 : 2/5/2019 3:59 pm : link
Talks broke down
https://weei.radio.com/blogs/john-tomase/lakers-reportedly-withdraw-anthony-davis-trade-talks-after-pelicans-decline-offer - ( New Window )
RE: RE: not that smith is any good  
nygiants16 : 2/5/2019 4:03 pm : link
In comment 14288261 Strahan91 said:
Quote:
In comment 14288254 nygiants16 said:


Quote:


but when is the last timr the knicks had an above the rim point gaurd?


It's understandable if you blocked this one out of your memory. I tried but unfortunately it hasn't worked. Link - ( New Window )


he wasnt above the rim by the time the knicks got him though
How bout the balls on KP/Janis  
bceagle05 : 2/5/2019 4:07 pm : link
to only provide four teams that were "acceptable" trade destinations for KP. Only four teams in the league are worthy of his services? This guy better stay on the court and produce when he's making $30 million per season.
For once the Knicks were ready  
arniefez : 2/5/2019 4:08 pm : link
they didn't screw this up and they didn't get screwed. Really surprising. It's about time.
From Mike Schmitz's 4 undervalued players to target article today  
Strahan91 : 2/5/2019 4:14 pm : link
Quote:

Frank Ntilikina | G | New York Knicks

Few top-10 picks over the past five years have struggled to live up to expectations as much as Ntilikina. The 6-foot-6 guard was one of only 10 players last season to log more than 1,700 total minutes yet finish with a player efficiency rating under 10.0 -- a list that features Tony Snell (8.2), JR Smith (8.0), Dragan Bender (7.1) and Ntilikina (7.1). Ntilikina's offensive woes have worsened this season, as he's one of only three players to play at least 40 games with a PER under 7.0. His dreadful 41.9 true shooting percentage ranks dead last in the NBA.

The fact that Ntilikina was selected ahead of Jazz star Donovan Mitchell to a pressure cooker like New York has made the underwhelming start to his NBA career that much more pronounced. Always viewed as more of a piece than a cornerstone, Ntilikina would benefit greatly from finding a new situation where he could lean on his strengths: defending multiple positions, making good on-court decisions and hopefully knocking down catch-and-shoot 3-pointers in time. Just because the Knicks reached to draft him doesn't mean he can't be a serviceable contributor on a winning team. Prior to acquiring Dennis Smith Jr., New York's hole at point guard forced Ntilikina into a role he has never been comfortable with (aside from during FIBA youth competition) as a primary shot-creator. According to Cleaning the Glass, Ntilikina spent 65 percent of his minutes at point guard as a rookie, and that number has increased just 1 percent this season.

Over 78 games in 2017-18, Ntilikina used 259 pick-and-roll possessions, accounting for 39.5 percent of his offense -- the 18th-highest rate in the NBA, per Synergy data. Ntilikina's so-so wiggle, slow pull-up jumper, issues finishing around the rim and indecisive approach hurt him in these situations, resulting in a ball-screen scoring attack that ranked in the 24th percentile of the NBA. While he has been less ball-dominant this season, pick-and-roll still makes up 33.9 percent of Ntilikina's offense, and unsurprisingly, his shortcomings have continued. Although he has always been talented, Ntilikina played for a stringent coach at Strasbourg in Vincent Collet, and his shot-creation skills were never quite as groomed as they could have been.

As many suspected during the pre-draft process, he's not an offense-generating lead guard, and he would be much better suited on a competitive team where he can thrive in a role as a defensive-minded guard. Though his standstill 3 has abandoned him this season, Ntilikina actually ranked in the 58th percentile out of spot-ups last season. He finished just a few percentage points under the league average on corner 3s as well, according to Second Spectrum data.

Ntilikina is an ideal fit next to a big playmaker such as a Luka Doncic or James Harden. The addition of a ball-dominant guard like Smith (or Kyrie Irving, in free agency) may help salvage Ntilikina's tenure, but a fresh team may be best for the 20-year-old.

Ntilikina figures to thrive playing off of a high-usage shot creator. It's important to keep in mind that Ntilikina is still younger than 2018 one-and-done lottery picks Deandre Ayton, Mo Bamba and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He never had the ability to thrive as a ball-dominant guard for the Knicks, but he could eventually return tremendous value on a competitive team that prioritizes his defense, smarts, age and physical upside.
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