With qualifying offers due on Sunday, August 2, the New York Knicks had to make a decision on Belgium-born point guard Frank Ntilikina. At 23-years-old, Ntilikina has failed to live up to expectations, despite having lofty expectations when he was drafted back in 2017.
Having averaged just 9.8 minutes per game last season, including 2.7 points, 0.6 assists, and shooting 36.7% from the field, it seems as if New York is ready to move on from the first-round bust.
According to Marc Berman of the NY Post, the Knicks declined PG Frank Ntilikina’s $7M qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Clearly, based on Frank’s statistical output, paying him $7 million to be a benchwarmer doesn’t represent an efficient financial decision. However, he still offers some value as a defensive player, despite averaging career lows last year.
Once head coach Tom Thibodeau took over the next roster, Ntilikina completely fell out of favor, as the disciplinary feature Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, and even Elfrid Payton above the younger option.
The expectation is that the organization will target a veteran point guard to help establish a regular starter, and with the drafting of Miles McBride out of West Virginia, the likelihood of Frank making an impact is low.
Saving a few million rather than bringing him back with any dying hopes of resurrecting his career might be the most productive measure. He could salvage his career on a different team, one that can expand upon his existing talents, but the Knicks simply don’t seem like the right fit.
Do you think the Knicks should bring him back on a cheaper contract? Comment below!