The Knicks, who explored a possible Ricky Rubio deal at the trade deadline, talked internally prior to the draft about revisiting their pursuit of Rubio, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Nothing came of those talks on draft night, and New York nabbed its point guard of the future in Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 overall pick.
Still, Rubio reportedly remains on the trade block, and Ntilikina likely won’t be ready to step into the starting lineup right away, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the Knicks to see if they make a move for Rubio or another point guard when the new league year begins.
Here are a few more notes on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- The Nets continue to be cited as a probable suitor for J.J. Redick, with Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reporting that multiple league sources expect both the Nets and Sixers to make a “hard push” for the free agent guard.
- The Nets had $3.4MM available to use in draft-day deal, but GM Sean Marks didn’t see any prospects worth trading into the second round to acquire, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. As Lewis notes, Brooklyn has until this Friday to use that cash before spending resets for the 2017/18 league year.
- French big man Louis Labeyrie, whose draft rights belong to the Knicks, will play on the team’s Summer League squad for the third straight July, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Berman suggests the 2014 second-rounder could have a better chance to earn an NBA contract this time around, with the Knicks in rebuilding mode.
- Earlier today, our Mark Suleymanov rounded up the highlights of the Nets‘ D’Angelo Russell/Timofey Mozgov introductory presser in Brooklyn.
First they talk about re-signing Rose now bringing in Rubio? I’m good with bringing Rubio his contract expires soon, by the time he’s a free agent Ntilikina will be ready.
Tell me what you see in Ntilikina that made him worthy of the 8th overall pick when you could’ve gone with a freaky scorer in Malik Monk
Or Dennis Smith Jr. Who will probably be ROTY
Great on ball defense, off the ball defense, solid jumper and really good at switching pace.
Sign and trade Rose for Rubio. Rubio, a great passer, can mentor Ntilikina far better than Rose.
Ntilikina has a massive 7’1 wingspan, arguably the best defender of this draft class, is only 18, has good size at 6-5, a PG (unlike Monk who can shoot with the best of them but “stuck” between positions, undersized for sg position. DSJ has potential to be the best player in the draft but 1) DSJ has an ACL tear so there are durability concerns 2) He has character concerns 3) he plays no defense (one of his biggest weaknesses) 4) improving his jumpshot but jump shot one of his biggest weaknesses whereas Ntilikina made 52% of his threes (33/64) and has a much nicer shot with much more potential. Phil Jackson did well, would’ve screamed at my TV had they drafted DSJ, or Monk. Love the ‘French Freak’ !
Plus he’s 18 and has already played 2 years
In the French league, where has played against very good competition.
Ntilikina has the average wingspan length for centers– And it’s scary to think he could still be growing. It’s unlikely but it’s possible. Greek Freak grew 2 inches from 6’9 after being drafted to 6’11 and Paul George grew 2 inchesafter grtting drafted from 6’8 to 6’10) — Just something else to potentially look forward to. I’m really excited about this pick! Still 18!! Turns 19 next month and has much more room to grow (no pun intended) Def would take over Monk or DSJ –
So you like the pick huh? He’s a Knick now, it’ll get jacked up somehow. Monk will be a better pro without question. I don’t have to spout a bunch of intangibles.
Draft is a crapshoot but I think Monk ends up being a Ben Gordon / Eric Gordon type of player as the 6th man of the bench and I’m ok with that. I’ve often heard more athletic Lou Williams and I’m ok with that.
Porzingis had the most upside and lowest floor of his draft peers and it worked out for the best
Hope the same happens for Frank. I realize there’s bust potential but I’m willing to take the risk because 1) draft is a crapshoot 2) Even if Ntilinka has a lower floor compared to Malik Dsj, his upside’s through the roof 3) Knicks are good at drafting International players hitting on all of them lately. The guy they drafted 35th same draft as Porzingis was a international player from Spain and former teammate of KP, and was just announced for NBA all rookie First team today. (Shout out to my boy Willy Hernangomez!)
They deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to draft International players. Again.. please Don’t listen to Stephen A, he’s a clown. He’ll Probably find a way to bring Frederic Weis into the conversation (major draft bust drafted by the Knicks nearly 20 years ago #15 overall) ignoring all the International prospects they hit on when discussing Ntilikinas NBA outlook.
Ntilikinka played with people 10 years his senior in one of the most competitive leagues in the world and held his own. If he played in the NCAA, he’s probably a top-5 pick but the French LNB Pro A Is nothing to sneeze at, this guy was a child among men in his league, playing agianst much older competition.
Again, I’m really excited for this pick and Knicks
fans should be too. perhaps most importantly, NEVER LISTEN to Stephen A, He regurgitates BS anything Knick related. SAS’s rants are designed to depress Knick fans, portraying the most one sided, bleak, black & white picture of the team possible. ‘analysis’ designed to stir controversy out of nothing.
End of Rant (Oh the irony) Lmao
the kid can play….so i’ll give Phil credit for drafting him…but as a fan the Knicks organization is a complete mess. SAS isnt mad at who we draft as much as the system that the coach doesnt believe in and a President whos best quality is coaching Hall of Famers…and make no mistake about it all those guys were going to the Hall Of Fame without Phil(maybe Pippen wouldve been average)…i think SAS is more mad at the fact that the Knicks are totally irrelevant and won’t sniff the playoffs for atleast 4 years.
If one Knick fan saw my post and changed his or her mind on Ntilinka Typing all of that would be worth it. There’s much to be excited about! Don’t listen to Stephen A
Sorry for the grammatical mistakes! Try typing all of that from your phone >.<
Frank Knicky is the real deal and with the ZINGMASTER will give the Knicks the best PG / C combo since Ewing & Jackson this is a match made in heaven! The ZENMASTER has drafted well plus has been great signing UDFAs Ndour, Baker, Randle now Kornet, Hayes, Artist and Barry the direction now to go young to triangulate a Knicks core is the way to go!
Truthfully I don’t think the Knicks should trade for Rubio. Yea he’s a great passer but from what I’ve seen he stays injured. Jackson really screwed the pooch by his treatment of Melo and now of Porzingis. I read an article in which an agent said that NY is a last resort for his clients and more agents agreeing with him.
Really good way to mess up the cap situation, give a 33yr old 20M a year for 3 or 4 years. Did Phil become the GM?