New York Knicks: A January Evaluation Of 2017 NBA Draft Targets

Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg

Position: Point Guard
Age: 18 (7/28/1998)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 170 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .474/.417/.667
2016-17 Season Averages: 12.9 MPG, 3.2 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 3PM

It’s no secret that New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson has an affinity for European players. Four of the 15 players on the Knicks’ 2016-17 roster are not only of European descent, but played professionally overseas.

Thus, it would be none too surprising if Jackson and the Knicks took a chance on one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft: Frank Ntilikina.

Ntilikina has been on the draft radar for quite some time as a 6’5″ point guard with natural playmaking ability. His court vision is superb for a player his age and the accuracy on his passes implies he could successfully run an NBA offense.

The fact that Ntilikina is 6’5″ enables him to excel in the pick and roll and frustrate opponents with his massive wingspan on defense.

Jackson not only has an affinity for European players, but big point guards. He coveted size at the point guard position at every one of his stops as a head coach and continues to do so with Derrick Rose in 2016-17.

Ntilikina could be selected in the Top 10—or even the Top 5—but if he slides to the back end of the lottery, the New York Knicks would have a hard time not taking him.

Must Read: An urgent letter to the current roster

You can’t teach size or court vision, and Ntilikina has both in spades.