3. Take advantage of increased versatility
Frank Ntilikina worked as a point guard for the New York Knicks in 2017-18 and averaged 3.2 assists per game. Given the players in place, however, he might not return to the one spot, but try to work out at shooting guard or small forward.
The aforementioned shooting struggles will sit with the second-year player, but he can still work as a defensive stopper, at the two spot, in certain lineups. That’s already a given, but what about an ascension from there?
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Ntilikina already grew from 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-6 and will be listed as the latter in the 2018-19 media guide. Any growth can help him defend larger opponents, which allows for increased versatility.
Not a “goal” per se, but Ntilikina must continue to prove the ability to work at multiple positions, even in the “positionless” NBA landscape. He already covered power forward in certain situations, but this might provide more frequent chances to do so.
With the wingspan already there, look for Ntilikina to reach another level of his defensive potential. This should happen from the season’s first game.