New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina’s fit with teams in draft asking price
San Antonio Spurs: No. 29
The San Antonio Spurs have a rare situation of owning two first-round picks. The last time they made a first-round pick-related deal, Kawhi Leonard became the guy, so history is there for RC Buford and Gregg Popovich to find another steal with a selection from another organization.
However, what if it happens by sending the No. 29 pick to the New York Knicks?
The last time these teams collaborated on a draft pick trade, it sent Nazr Mohammed to the Alamo City for the rights that became David Lee‘s.
Can the Knicks strike twice with this organization? Maybe so, especially if the Spurs see a salvageable situation in Ntilikina, who can fill the wing role this team needs depth at, Rudy Gay returning on a new contract or not.
The Spurs have worked on projectable players before. Dejounte Murray was groomed into the starting point guard and went from a flashy defensive-minded player to someone displaying offensive upside. Derrick White methodically moved into a larger scoring role. Leonard became a superstar and NBA Finals MVP.
Ntilikina can be San Antonio’s next project. Maybe not with a large role, but enough to find the on-court time and play part in this team’s 23rd straight postseason appearance in 2019-20. That makes this trade Leonard and Danny Green for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and Ntilikina.