After much speculation, the Knicks ultimately decided to select French point guard Frank Ntilikina with the eight pick in the NBA Draft. Names like Dennis Smith Jr. and Malik Monk — both of whom were still available when the Knicks were on the clock — were bypassed in favor of the athletic guard.
As Ian Begley of ESPN writes, team president Phil Jackson spoke about New York’s highly-debated selection and the ability that made the 18-year-old a must-have prospect.
“We like the size of this young man, we like his aptitude for the game, athleticism, actually the ability to incorporate himself in a winning type of a situation,” Jackson said.
New York used its 44th pick on Houston’s Damyean Dotson and its 58th pick on Serbian guard Ognjen Jaramaz. Under Jackson, the Knicks have emphasized selecting European talent and college seniors; with the team looking to build aorund young talent, it’s likely that the 2017 draft picks — particularly Ntilikina — get decent looks next season.
Here are additional notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- Per Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports (via Twitter), the Raptors tried trading up in the draft to select OG Anunoby but were pleasantly surprised when he was still available come the 23rd pick.
- On a similar note, the Nets liked Michigan’s D.J. Wilson and tried trading up, but did not have the assets to do so, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk (via Twitter). Wilson was taken 17th overall by the Bucks.
- Despite rumors linking the Celtics to Jimmy Butler, general manager Danny Ainge told reporters, including ESPN’s Chris Forsberg, that no recent discussions to acquire the former Bulls All-Star happened.
- Per Jessica Camerato of CSN Philly (via Twitter), all of the Sixers‘ international picks are expected to stay overseas next season.
- After drafting Markelle Fultz this year, Ben Simmons last year, and assembling a drove of young talent, now is the time for Sixers head coach Brett Brown to put together a winning product, Philadelphia Inquirer’s Bob Cooney writes.
Knicks fans do not want to understand that Porzingis must play with a point guard that could get him the ball in the paint and in the post. Monk and Smith Jr were not going to do that although I do believe they will both flourish in their situations. Melo needs to go though so Porzingis can start taking over.
Ntilikana will be a star in this league. Typical Knicks fans overreacting.
Yea well everyone thought the same about Porzingis and look at him now. What did they say about Curry coming out of Davidson? “Too small, too skinny, will get pushed around and killed on defense”
It was between Ntilikina and Smith for the knicks, and I think they chose right, for them. Ntilikina is long, athletic, and versatile. He is more of a combo guard, that can play the PG spot right now. Defensively is where I think he is most capable right now, and he’s a pretty good passer. He can somewhat shoot it now too, and that’s going to improve. He isn’t going to be an offensive stat right away, but in 2 years, he and Porzingis should be fun to watch together. It’s the rest of the roster……….
I think he could average 12-13 ppg his first season, they had him do a shooting drill and he hit 78 out of 100 threes, the same amount KEVIN DURANT hit in the same shooting drill.
It’s hard to say that now before I see the rest of the roster, or how summer league plays out. I do think. He should be better than people think in year 1
Frank will be fine. Just imagine him throwing lobs to KP for the next six years.
Philly fans really need a dose of reality. Their popping champagne like they won something already. The roster will need a few years to gel, and Embiid has only played 31 games in 3 years. I like Simmons, but the rest of the roster is meh.