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Knicks: 3 Frank Ntilikina trades that improve the roster now

By Brad Dressler

Dec 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina (11) walks off the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina (11) walks off the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 29, 2020; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) warms up before his game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Frank Ntilikina, Alec Burks, Dallas 2023 1st, 2021 2nd rd pick for Zach LaVine

Adding a shooter of Zach LaVine’s caliber next to RJ’s improved slashing ability would just be so much to watch. Also, the Knicks would have a mini dunk contest every night on the floor between LaVine and rookie Obi Toppin. Also, reuniting LaVine with his first NBA head coach Tom Thibodeau would be a match made in heaven.

Zach LaVine tried forcing his way out of Chicago this past season, but now under new head coach Billy Donovan, the organization aims to keep their star attraction happy in red and black. Unfortunately, I don’t believe LaVine suddenly becomes smitten with the Bulls’ current situation and then finishes this contract with them. Even if he does, he’s certainly gone in 2 years when the deal is up, and at that point, I don’t believe that Chicago would be far along enough in their rebuild to convince him to stay.

Ideally, you want a player of Zach LaVine’s talents to be your 2nd or 3rd best player on a playoff-contending team, so this trade may be the catalyst for that. If the stars were to align, and New York managed to grab one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft, such as Cade Cunningham or Jalen Green, a starting lineup in the ’21-’22 season would look something like LaVine, Cade or Jalen, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Mitch with Quickley and Knox off the bench.

Assuming everyone progresses the way we believe they will, that’s a 7th or 8th seed at worst.

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