New York Knicks: Five potential trade destinations for Frank Ntilikina
4. Phoenix Suns
The newest team in the mix, the Phoenix Suns, were among the teams that reached out to the New York Knicks to express interest in Ntilikina earlier this year, per ESPN’s Ian Begley. However, the Knicks told them the 20-year-old wasn’t available.
Begley noted Phoenix was “intrigued” at pairing Ntilikina with Devin Booker.
The Suns have searched for a point guard since Eric Bledsoe‘s departure in 2017-18, when he infamously posted on Twitter, “I don’t wanna be here.” Isaiah Canaan, Mike James and Tyler Ulis have handled the role since.
Whether they see Ntilikina as a point guard or something else is unknown, but wanting him with Booker seems like a backcourt pairing.
A potential trade can give the Knicks Troy Daniels‘ expiring contract and a draft pick. The Suns have a 2019 first-rounder from the Milwaukee Bucks, but it’s protected between selections one-to-three and 17-to-30. In 2020, it’s one-to-seven. In 2021, it’s unprotected.
It may not become a high selection, especially with Milwaukee’s success this season, and a Giannis Antetokounmpo-led foundation can lead to an NBA Finals appearance down the line. Though it seems likely to convey by 2020.
The Suns make sense if Ntilikina finds his way into trade talks. If they still want a point guard, could they link with the Knicks?