The Boston Celtics shouldn’t consider Frank Ntilikina trade
The New York Knicks are likely undergoing a huge transformation this offseason. Apparently, Frank Ntilikina may be a casualty. The Boston Celtics shouldn’t inquire about the Frenchman.
It’s no secret that the Boston Celtics May have a point guard problem this coming summer. Kyrie Irving is all but a goner, with the bright lights of New York calling (either at 33th st and 7th or Flatbush and Atlantic avenues). Terry Rozier may be eyeing a certain Chicago franchise, who may be eyeing Lonzo Ball themselves.
That said, the Boston Celtics are in no rush to give up assets to find a suitable replacement. They have Marcus Smart, who could capably guard most point guards in the league. Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown could all take turns trying to facilitate the offense.
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Perhaps Boston even drafts a point guard with one of their three upcoming first round draft picks. Say, Carsen Edwards our of Purdue?
Whatever they do, they don’t need to panic. Danny Ainge has replaced an MVP top five finalist before. He can find a suitable ball-handler to play the point alongside his promising core.
One of the last things Ainge should consider is trading for New York Knicks’ guard Frank Ntilikina. Very few scenarios make sense.
For one, as young as the Celtics core is, with Tatum and Brown still under 23 years old, they are still further along than Ntilikina. The 2017 lottery pick has not shown much besides good on-ball defense. His ball-handling is far below the level of an NBA starting point guard. It may even be below the level of a suitable NBA backup.
Secondly, the Celtics should not give up any of their first round picks to get him. That may be the asking price for the Frenchman’s services. If I’m Ainge, I’d rather take a chance on a college player that hasn’t been a part of a dysfunctional franchise. The Knicks may have done damage to Ntilikina’s development.
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A change of scenery would serve Ntilikina well, but being thrust into a win-now scenario (which even without Irving is what the Celtics are in) would see him thrown into a sink-or-swim scenario.
For the Boston’s celtics, that’s more trouble than he is worth. If I’m Ainge, I’m waiting out the market to see if I can get a guy like Austin Rivers or Rajon Rondo for cheap. Giving up anything besides second round picks for Ntilikina just isn’t worth it.