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New York Knicks: 5 reasons Frank Ntilikina can win Rookie of the Year

By Maxwell Ogden

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, 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. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, 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. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /
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Strasbourg’s players Frank Ntilikina in action against MICHEL Felix 10 of Rouen during the Basket match LNB Pro A 2015-2016 between Strasbourg and Rouen, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on March 12, 2016. (Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/NurPhoto) (Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Strasbourg’s players Frank Ntilikina in action against MICHEL Felix 10 of Rouen during the Basket match LNB Pro A 2015-2016 between Strasbourg and Rouen, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on March 12, 2016. (Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/NurPhoto) (Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

2. Facilitating Opportunities

The general consensus is that, unlike 2016-17, the lottery picks will compete for Rookie of the Year in 2017-18. Of the candidates from that pool, one could fairly argue that Jayson Tatum will play for the best team in the Boston Celtics.

While Tatum may be playing for the best team, it’s Frank Ntilikina who may play with the best player of any lottery pick: Kristaps Porzingis.

Assuming Ntilikina wins the starting job, he’ll be tasked with consistently creating for his teammates. That will give him an opportunity to rack up assists as the player responsible for putting Porzingis in a position to score.

Considering Porzingis averaged 18.1 points per game in just his second NBA season, it stands to reason that he’ll easily push 20 in year three—and no one stands to benefit more than Ntilikina.

Furthermore, New York has two of the most productive pick and roll big men in the NBA in Willy Hernangomez and Enes Kanter. It also has an above-average scoring threat in Tim Hardaway Jr., knockdown shooters in Courtney Lee and Doug McDermott, and pick and pop threats in Porzingis, Kyle O’Quinn, and Lance Thomas.

Ntilikina may not be playing for the best team of any incoming rookie, but he’ll have the offensive playmakers at his disposal to make an immediate impact as a facilitator.

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