Knicks: 3 Frank Ntilikina trades that improve the roster now
Frank Ntilikina and Julius Randle for Victor Oladipo
This trade only happens assuming 3 things: Victor Oladipo refuses to re-sign with Indiana, the Pacers found a new home for Myles Turner, and of course, Oladipo agrees to sign an extension with the Knicks, and I refuse to do this trade otherwise. If I were Leon Rose, this trade doesn’t go down until I see that Vic is able to stay relatively healthy throughout the first half of the season, and then we can cut a deal with Indiana at the deadline.
I can see the Knicks trying for any trade where they give up not a whole lot in exchange for something of questionable, but higher value. As much as I love Frankie, if we could finesse a team like Indiana with a disgruntled star such as Oladipo, Ntilikina is as good as gone.
Unlike LaVine, if Oladipo returns to his pre-injury form, I think he could easily be the 2nd best player on a championship-contending team, so it might bring the Knicks that much closer to our first playoff birth in almost a decade.
What I admire most about Vic is his hunger. Injuries aside, he loves the competition and strives to win. I will never forget when his trainer, David Alexander, tweeted out a text sent from Oladipo with the words “When do we start? I’m ready to take it to another level” just minutes after his game 7 loss to the Cavs in the 2018 playoffs.
Next. Where things stand with Ntilikina's contract. dark
Regardless of whether or not the Knicks would be getting 100% of that Victor or just 85% of it, you want that kind of guy on your team when your roster is as young and impressionable as ours is.