New York Knicks: 5 goals for Frank Ntilikina’s rookie season

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks talks to the media after being selected eighth overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks talks to the media after being selected eighth overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks talks to the media after being selected eighth overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks talks to the media after being selected eighth overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)

Every rookie has a set of goals for their first season in the NBA. Here are five reasonable goals for New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina.


The New York Knicks drafted Frank Ntilikina out of France at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Former team president Phil Jackson made the leap of faith in hopes that Ntilikina will become the Knicks’ franchise point guard in years to come.

The general belief was that Ntilikina had the best defensive potential of any point guard prospect in the 2017 NBA Draft, which is one of the reasons the Knicks selected the 6’5″ floor general.

Ntilikina joins a young core that features three All-Rookie honorees who are still 25 or younger: Tim Hardaway Jr., Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez. The Knicks’ president, Steve Mills, emphasized his desire to have a young team that will grow together.

Ntilikina will be the youngest player on the Knicks next year, but much like the other youngsters on the roster, he will have a chance to adjust to playing with the other franchise cornerstones.

Ntilikina has the physical tools and potential to become a defensive force in the league, and a tricky player to guard because of his height. However, he has to take some long strides for that belief to become a reality.

While more numerical goals may be in the mind of Frank Ntilikina, in this article, we look at goals and traits the New York Knicks rookie should focus on.