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New York Knicks: The foundation has already been laid

By Maxwell Ogden

New York Knicks Frank Ntilikina Kristaps Porzingis Tim Hardaway Jr. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks Frank Ntilikina Kristaps Porzingis Tim Hardaway Jr. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 31: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 31, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 31: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 31, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Top 10 Competition

As previously acknowledged, Frank Ntilikina was selected at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. While he was drafted to play in the triangle offense, the goal remains developing Ntilikina into the franchise point guard—and he has the character and work ethic to make it happen.

What makes the current situation at point guard so intriguing, however, is the fact that Ntilikina is one of three former top-10 draft picks competing for the starting job.

If Ntilikina proves to be more of a 2 than a lead guard, then the Knicks would still have a chance to develop Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay. Burke was the No. 9 overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, while Mudiay was selected at No. 7 in 2015.

Both have untapped potential to explore and the raw talent to potentially fill the role of the full-time starter for this rebuilding franchise.

Burke has lived up to the hype early in his Knicks career, producing starting-caliber numbers since  being called up from the G League. Mudiay has struggled, but he’s still just 22 years of age and in possession of a rare combination of size and athleticism.

Regardless of how the point guard competition plays out, the fact that the Knicks have three former top-10 draft picks competing for one job is a promising sign.

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