New York Knicks: Five potential trade destinations for Frank Ntilikina
1. Houston Rockets
Like Damyean Dotson, the Houston Rockets make the most sense as a suitor for a New York Knicks player. This time, it’s Ntilikina, who’s more expensive in salary and compensation, but offers head coach Mike D’Antoni a more projectable player to work with.
The Rockets lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in the offseason, which depleted their wing depth. They signed Carmelo Anthony to bring an offensive-minded threat, but that didn’t work out, after a 10-game stint sent him home.
In 2018-19, Houston allows teams to shoot 47.7 percent, tying them with Utah. They also sit in the middle of the pack in three-point percentage allowed and points allowed per game, and it’s hardly what the 2017-18 unit showcased.
Ntilikina’s arrival not only places a band-aid on this problem for one year, but potentially through 2020-21, pending the Rockets pick up his fourth-year option.
A potential deal can send Marquese Chriss, who barely plays and has an expiring salary, and an unprotected first-round pick, if general manager Daryl Morey goes one step further.
The Knicks can either try out Chriss for the rest of the season or waive him. Of course, the selection matters most, and it adds to the team’s young core or becomes a trade piece in the summer.
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Who’s the best trade option for the New York Knicks to potentially move Ntilikina to? Is a deal even possible at this point?