There is reportedly 'NBA-wide' trade interest in Knicks' Frank Ntilikina

Magic among teams reportedly showing interest

11/29/2018, 2:30 PM
New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. / Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. / Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

There is "NBA-wide" trade interest in Knicks second-year guard Frank Ntilikina, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov.

The Orlango Magic are among the teams interested in him, while the Philadelphia 76ers were scouting him during Wednesday's Knicks-76ers game, according to Vorkunov.

The 20-year-old Ntilikina, New York's first-round pick in 2017, has been held scoreless in back-to-back games and four times in the past 10, however a different scout told Vorkunov that Ntilikina is "intriguing" as a player.

Drafted as a point guard, Ntilikina has spent time in other positions on the court, including at the 2 and 3 given his 7-foot wingspan.

Though he has struggled on offense -- he has scored in double figures just thrice this season -- the 6-foot-6 Ntilikina has focused on his defense over his first two seasons in the league. 

His averages on offense this season -- 5.9 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game -- are similar to what he averaged as a rookie (5.9/3.2/2.3). His PER this year (5.7) is lower than it was last season (7.0), however his VORP has slightly improved from -0.8 to -0.4.

Ntilikina started the first 14 games of the season but has come off the bench behind Emmanuel Mudiay in the last nine, as head coach David Fizdale has continued to test different starting lineups in his first season at the helm.

The Knicks already exercised their third-year, $4.9 million option on Ntilikina's rookie contract, but that hasn't stopped speculation that the Knicks could deal him.

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