There are lots of examples of out-of-favor players reviving their careers in Dallas only to fall apart when leaving. And one glaring example of a promising young player looking like a potential cornerstone in Dallas and a G leaguer in New York.
The Mavs would certainly turn Ntilikina into a serviceable rotation player. The kid is a hard worker who already does certain things at a high level (defense) but he’s not a point guard in today’s NBA. It’s just insane how the Knicks are trying to build their team.
My guess is Ntilika is best cast as a low usage defensive wing. He moves the ball well and has the length, athleticism and strength to guard bigger players. He doesn’t get many corner threes in New York but he is 7 of 14 on the ones he’s taken. I’d actually play him 14-18 MIN in Jackson’s rotation spot. A short run with with Finney-Smith at the four, in a small five-out lineup, similar to how the Mavs might deploy a guy like Igoudala. Have him focus on what he does well rather than try to turn him into something he’s not.
Make no mistake, Ntilikina is not close to Igoudala on either end of the floor. But I’d gamble on the Mavs developing a 21 year-old kid with some elite traits, especially if the price is Mavs absorb him into TE and send a second rounder.
By the way, I’m not giving up on Jackson either. He’ll never be a star but he showed enough in 28 or so games with the Mava last year to tell me he’s a rotation player. May take some time to develop his consistency though. Can’t have his defensive effort fluctuate based on makes and misses.
The Mavs would certainly turn Ntilikina into a serviceable rotation player. The kid is a hard worker who already does certain things at a high level (defense) but he’s not a point guard in today’s NBA. It’s just insane how the Knicks are trying to build their team.
My guess is Ntilika is best cast as a low usage defensive wing. He moves the ball well and has the length, athleticism and strength to guard bigger players. He doesn’t get many corner threes in New York but he is 7 of 14 on the ones he’s taken. I’d actually play him 14-18 MIN in Jackson’s rotation spot. A short run with with Finney-Smith at the four, in a small five-out lineup, similar to how the Mavs might deploy a guy like Igoudala. Have him focus on what he does well rather than try to turn him into something he’s not.
Make no mistake, Ntilikina is not close to Igoudala on either end of the floor. But I’d gamble on the Mavs developing a 21 year-old kid with some elite traits, especially if the price is Mavs absorb him into TE and send a second rounder.
By the way, I’m not giving up on Jackson either. He’ll never be a star but he showed enough in 28 or so games with the Mava last year to tell me he’s a rotation player. May take some time to develop his consistency though. Can’t have his defensive effort fluctuate based on makes and misses.