Even if Frank Ntilikina doesn’t start the first game of his second season, the 20-year-old remains a big part of the Knicks’ plans.
While waiting for coach David Fizdale to determine his starting point guard for Wednesday’s season opener against the Hawks, Ntilikina’s third-year option was exercised by the Knicks on Monday. The young guard will make roughly $4.9 million next season.
“It’s great. I’m just grateful to be part of this organization,” Ntilikina said. “The fact that they picked up my option means they have confidence in me and I will work as hard as I can to give that confidence back and keep being the best I can be.”
According to Fizdale, Ntilikina — who averaged 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season — can be one of the league’s five best defenders.
“Frank’s going to guard everybody. You can already see where I’m going with him,” said Fizdale, who partially plans to use Ntilikina’s 7-foot wingspan on 6-foot-2 sharpshooting rookie Trae Young. “With Frank, I’m trying to develop a first-team all-defender.”
The eighth-overall pick of the 2017 draft can see it happening, too.
“I think I can guard a lot of people on the court, and it was already in my mind last year,” Ntilikina said. “I have tools, so I’m going to use them to make that team be better. I know I have tools defensively, and I can be one of the best defensive guys in the league at my position. So why not do it?”
Jeff Van Gundy is a big fan of Fizdale, and believes the Knicks can show growth this season and “be chasing a playoff spot,” but the former Knicks coach can’t envision the franchise ending its five-year postseason drought.
“When you look on the floor right now, even if they had [ Kristaps] Porzingis … like you look at their team, they’re just not a talented team,” Van Gundy said on a conference call.
After missing the entire preseason with a strained neck, Courtney Lee practiced for the second straight day and is healthy enough to play Wednesday, but Fizdale plans on giving the veteran the night off.
“I want to get him a few more practices, and some more conditioning, and see how his body responds to all of this stuff first,” Fizdale said. “Then, slowly [work him] into the mix.”
Lance Thomas (knee soreness) didn’t practice for the second straight day, but is expected to be ready for Wednesday’s game. Emmanuel Mudiay (sprained right ankle) also sat out, along with Isaiah Hicks (ankle).
