Daily Knicks
Fansided

3 under the radar free agent options Knicks can pursue

By Chris Gallagher

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina
Frank Ntilikina, New York Knicks. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

3. Frank Ntilikina

BRING. FRANK. HOME. I said throughout all of last season that I would have preferred Frank Ntilikina to be the starting point guard over Elfrid Payton.

And when Ntilikina got consistent minutes, he was a very good defender who had great chemistry with his teammates, while I swear Payton had beef with RJ Barrett because of the number of times he would pass the ball to Randle when Barrett was wide open. It’s safe to say that I’m not over Payton’s painful inability to play well at the NBA level.

Ntilikina was HUGE for the Mavericks in their Game 6 victory over the Suns in the conference semifinals, playing aggressive defense on Devin Booker that affected him.

Ntilikina, meanwhile, could have been doing this on Trae Young in last year’s playoffs, which maybe could have led to not losing 4-1 to a Hawks team that the Knicks dominated in the 2020-2021 regular season.

He recovered 4 steals in 20 minutes in Game 6 against Phoenix while also having a block to his name. Ntilikina’s been a defensive asset for a Mavericks team that knows how to get the most out of their players because Jason Kidd is an excellent coach.

Ntilikina was loved by most New York fans and had great relationships with the players, specifically Barrett. He and Ntilikina would literally have a foot race across the court before every game, and apparently, they spoke French to each other on and off the court.

The No. 8 pick in the 2017 draft clearly had a presence with the Knicks, and New York would be wise to bring him back this summer.