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2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks and the value of the point guard

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) controls the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) controls the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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10. Sacramento Kings: Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg

Position: Point Guard
Age: 18 (7/28/1998)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 170 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .485/.431/.621
2016-17 Season Averages: 18.3 MPG, 5.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.7 3PM

This is a tricky situation for the Sacramento Kings, as they must determine what their identity is. Selecting Jonathan Isaac showed a commitment to defense, but selecting Frank Ntilikina at No. 10 overall would mean taking a chance on an enigma of a prospect.

Ntilikina is choosing to play for a championship in France over attending pre-draft workouts, but for Sacramento, that winning mentality may be what’s missing.

Ntilikina isn’t the most explosive of athletes, but he’s a 6’5” point guard with a near 7’0” wingspan and the tools to be a lockdown defender. He angles his body well against slashing scorers and has come up in a European system that preaches both running and defending the pick and roll.

Ntilikina’s ability to facilitate out of the pick and roll should appeal to any and every NBA executive, and the fact that he can shoot coming off of it only helps his value.

Ntilikina could work wonderfully in the pick and roll game with Willie Cauley-Stein, and the pick and pop game with Skal Labissiere. Perhaps more importantly, he and shooting guard Buddy Hield would complement one another well as playmaker and shooter.

With Isaac and Ntilikina, Sacramento would take significant strides towards becoming one of the better young defensive teams in the NBA.

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