New York Knicks: Evaluating the Anthony Davis trade assets

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in action against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2018 in New York City. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 123-118 in overtime. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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New York Knicks Frank Ntilikina (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

5. Frank Ntilikina

Frank Ntilikina joined the New York Knicks before the Scott Perry-Steve Mills regime took over, meaning the Frenchman is not their “guy.” Evident of that, the 2018-19 season has filled up with speculation on his future.

A step forward offensively was expected from Ntilikina. Instead, his shooting percentages have fallen off from his rookie campaign, and head coach David Fizdale struggled to give the sophomore playing time over Emmanuel Mudiay, who secured the point guard job in November.

Ntilikina just had another chance to showcase himself, only to develop foul trouble and suffer a groin injury, which may keep him out for a while. It’s another hiccup in his development, and what if Mudiay returns from his respective injury sooner?

Maybe Ntilikina’s value isn’t the same upon entry to the NBA in 2017, but that should make him a candidate to join an Anthony Davis trade, if anything, as a supplementary piece to the puzzle. The Knicks can find a point guard in free agency if he’s part of the deal, expensive or not to sign and integrate into the salary cap.

Two years is also too soon to give up on the 20-year-old. However, if the Pelicans want this long, athletic player, it’s difficult to think he makes it out of negotiations a Knick.

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