Frank Ntilikina had an interesting summer away from the New York Knicks where he showed an increase in confidence and poise playing for Team France in the FIBA World Cup. The team seems to believe in his potential still with both his, Dennis Smith Jr.‘s and Kevin Knox‘s contracts being exercised. The French guard’s offense has shown glimpses, but the only question is whether that will translate back to the NBA.
In Ntilikina’s start against the Hawks, he showed that he doesn’t need to define his game on the number of shots taken or his overall contributions on the offensive side yet; his clutch forced turnovers and his defense on Trae Young in the fourth quarter showed how he can contribute moving forward.