New York Knicks: Predicting offseason trade destinations for Frank Ntilikina

2. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets will have consistent needs to upgrade the James Harden–Chris Paul core for as long as it lasts. They had a quality supporting cast in 2017-18, until Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute left in free agency and left few defensive players on the roster.

As of March 8, the Rockets sit in the top half of the NBA in points allowed per game, but also let teams shoot 47.5 percent. They can still stand to upgrade this team in the offseason, and to return part of that defensive look from the special group in 2017-18, Frank Ntilikina makes sense.

The 20-year-old can drop behind the starting guards in the rotation and play off either — likely with open looks to hit the occasional shot. However, he’s there for defense, and the Rockets can even play him as a small forward, which New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale did, and works next to Harden and Paul.

It’s a role player situation and a slightly larger spotlight since the Rockets are in a clear-cut win now mode, but that could suit Ntilikina’s development, with a set role on a team that knows its direction.

Another first-round pick makes sense for Ntilikina, and the Rockets are in line for a pick between after 20th, but their pick is potentially heading to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s unless the Knicks willingly take a 2021 selection from general manager Daryl Morey. Far down the line, but another asset to either build this roster or package in a blockbuster.