New York Knicks: Predicting offseason trade destinations for Frank Ntilikina

3. San Antonio Spurs

Under head coach Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs have worked wonders defensively for two decades — long before the offensive explosion that saw teams’ points per game rise. Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen and Kawhi Leonard were at the forefront of this for years.

However, the Spurs have retooled their team in recent seasons, due to retirements and trade requests. They worked into the rising NBA offenses, but defense isn’t as strong as it once was, with allowing teams to shoot 46.6 percent (20th) and score 111.0 points (14th).

Derrick White has been a revelation defensively, and Dejounte Murray will eventually return from a torn ACL in 2019-20. That does not mean they can’t acquire backcourt help, especially someone with the versatility to guard multiple positions.

If the Spurs want another defense-first player they can take a chance on, sending that 2019 first-round pick from the Toronto Raptors could do the trick. It conveys if the Raptors finish 21-30, which seems likely, barring an epic collapse.

If the New York Knicks merely want a first-rounder for Ntilikina, this works smoothly. The Spurs still have their own selection, but that might fall closer to the lottery, which is arguably high for the way the Frenchman has played.

Still, San Antonio is a contending situation for Ntilikina, but not one he will have an incredible spotlight. And with this organization’s development track record, it makes this an optimistic acquisition.