Frank Ntilikina Signs With The Dallas Mavericks

[HairyGOATee]

Frank Ntilikina Signs With The Dallas Mavericks

I actually like this signing for the Mavs. He plays good PnR defense and can help the team defend opposing PGs now. He has handles and athleticism too, and has started to develop a 3 point shot. I don't like him shooting off the dribble or in traffic, and he's probably below average as a playmaker (he can make basic passes though), but he's young, long, athletic, and tenacious. I'll take it.

16 guaranteed contracts now, so someone will be moved somehow. Whether it's through a cut or a trade remains to be seen.

[Darren]

To me, Ntilikina deserves a look over the likes of Thomas, Ellis and somehow Lance Stephenson. But I don't really want to cut any of the players. I think Burke, WCS or Terry are easily the waive target. But I think it is easy to get a second round asset in return. To me, I'd rather trade Brunson, not because of poor play or anything. Burke and Brunson are somewhat redundant. And Brunson will get significantly overpaid very soon. Meanwhile, Burke will likely stick around at 2/3M per for a couples of years like Barea did with the Mavs. It is reasonable contract on reasonable role. For Brunson, not so much. Paying Starter money for a backup role is never a good idea. I'd much rather pay DFS to 8/9M per. I don't think Brunson should be paid more than 4M per.

[SOUNDCHASER]

The missing piece is here. Finally we get Luka some talent to keep him here long term, Rings out the ying yang are coming, yeah buddy. Dirk is jealous why couldnt we get talent like this when he was here.

[Darren]

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Frank may surprise a lot of people with a much simple role in Dallas. Maybe Ntilikina lacks the IQ to perform well as a playmaker. But as a defender, Frank is significantly better than Thybulle. At veteran minimum, it's a no brainer. You can see Harden, Irving, Dame, FVV, Barea, Lebron, AD, Randle, Young on the defensive highlight. The instinct, quickness and wingspan does matter on playoff floor. Brunson couldn't get anything going from game 3 onwards. This is something the Mavs had paid 11M per in Delon Wright and Josh Richardson. Obviously, Frank could still compete without much contribution offensively. I want to see a lot more backdoor cut, fastbreak and Euro-step attacks in paint in Ntilikina with steadily improving jumpshots from long range.

Actually, the Mavs has a lot of very similiar players required roster reconstruction. For instance, WCS and Powell play exactly the same role. Brunson and Burke are straightly PG. Neither suits well as a 2. Hardaway and Bullock are too similar. It is ridiculous to pay twice for the same production from players. The frontcourt role is also problematic. Clearly, Kleber plays 5 better than 4; DFS defends 3 better than 4. If the coaches repeat the same mistakes every year. I can't envision any prospect with success from the Mavs on playoff floor.

It is ashame if Frank cannot stick around despite a severe lack of defender especially at 1/2. If the Mavs make a trade, it's easy decision to let Frank stay. I have only seen Leonard, Giannis and Issac with simiar disruptiveness defensively. Frank provides elite defense the Mavs sorely missed. How comes the Mavs lose a series because of playing no D in two consecutive years? DFS is only above average on playoff floor. Kleber has regressed to average defender in 2nd years on a playoff team. The rest of the team fails to provide much boost on defensive end on the floor. Even Boban is considered an upgrade on both end, then it doesn't makes sense to keep KP, Powell and WCS at 50M per. Way too similar and ineffective. I'd rather give Moses a try. If Moses present an upgrade over Boban, then Moses should be a keeper.

Similarly, the Mavs has to decide on Burke and Brunson. Quite clearly, the duo couldn't play well alongside each other. Both couldn't play defense and struggle awfully against random 2. The end of the experiment is required. To overpay Brunson or moving on with cheaper version is also a decision to be made.

Whether or not Green and Sterling could hit the rotation is also X-factor to the season. Green could affect DFS contract year. Sterling Brown may affect the role of Hardaway and Bullock.

[nedleeds]

Frank with a real coach could be a nice 20 minute a game rotation guard / wing. His shot is not broken, and on catch and shoot he was fine this year. Asking him to make complex reads in the PnR is failure because he has no second move if he beats the switch to begin with and he can't shoot off the dribble so going under stones it. But he's fine on the break and has a good enough handle and head up to make transition passes. He's a good if not nuclear athlete. He's a great kid who has basically no ego despite the Knicks management treating him like a half eaten sandwich. I want y'all to lose 80 games but it's hard not to root for Frank. He has to keep that groin loose though!

[leolozon]

He could be a useful role player if he can hit his 3s. Like a smaller DFS.

The problem is that the team is deep in the backcourt and not much in the frontcourt... And isn't Brown supposed to be the same type of player with the same kind of level of talent?

The roster construction is a bit weird, but it's an okay signing.

[SOUNDCHASER]

Dragic may still get let go and be able to come here. We definitely need better defenders to use in matchup situations and looks like everyone is agreeing that he has great defense and is ok as a shooter somewhat now so he could be nearing a break out season on the scoring side of his game.

Put him in there with the starters some and see how he fits in with Luka, KP, DFS, & Moses. Obvioulsy he could play the defensive stopper at the SG and give THJ a lot of time with the second team to boost bench scoring

That may work to help us when the second team of Brunson THJ Bullock Kleber and Boban goes in and destroys other teams bench.

They would still have Sterling Burke Green WCS and Powell on the bench to rest the others and give us other options. That third team would match up with a lot of teams second team if you ask me.

Bringing Dragic in here would cause us to have even more offensive weaponry to play with the starters.

Somebody is going to have to be cut if that happens

Eugene and Jaquori are all potentially worthy of a shot as well. Terry needs to bulk up a lot more or hes gone

[DJ_3_Ball]

I like the signing. Ntilikina has a reputation for defense. @nedleeds how would you rate his defense?

I bet Ntilikina & Bullock will work well together. I guess the starters are going to still be Luka, THJ, DFS, KP & Kleber. You would hope Bullock can start, but if he's on the 2nd unit with Ntilikina that could workout very well.

Gives the Mavs another active, long body to put on ball vs someone like Steph Curry, Dame Lilliard, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Ja Morant, Russ Westbrook, CP3, De'Aaron Fox, etc. Because before it was mainly just DFS & Kleber trying to handle guys like Kawhi. THJ is overmatched on defense vs these elite playmakers. It was hard to watch him at times vs Kawhi in the playoffs.

Don't expect Ntilikina to be a world beater, but I definitely think he can provide quality minutes off the bench, and really do something that no one else on this roster can do. If he can knock down, catch & shoot, 3s like nedleeds says he can, then who cares what else he does on offense. Anything else is gravy.

[SOUNDCHASER]

perimeter d is what we need. We need to stop the 3 pointers from falling in. Moses and KP will have a contest to see who blocks more shots as they defend the middle but the outside shooting has to be defended better with a lot more steals and fast breaks.

I think he would give us a defensive substitution at the 2 next to Luka and if he has handles maybe he competes with Brunson and others for minutes as a backup 1 if he can.

It is somehwat similar to what Kidd and Terry had to do with each gaurding the opposite positions they played.

If Frank can handle the smaller waterbugs and keep them from going off then he is well worth his pay.

THJ is a good scorer to have coming off the bench anyway because KP needs to get more shots when he is in there with Luka. The second team should be more than solid with him in there and Bullock Kleber and Boban playing off the bench with Brunson and or some other PG direting traffic.

If you have Luka and KP in with guys who focus on D like Moses, Dorian and Frank we might want to play Bullock instead of DFS w the starters to give us a little more shooting

[HairyGOATee]

To me, Ntilikina deserves a look over the likes of Thomas, Ellis and somehow Lance Stephenson. But I don't really want to cut any of the players. I think Burke, WCS or Terry are easily the waive target. But I think it is easy to get a second round asset in return. To me, I'd rather trade Brunson, not because of poor play or anything. Burke and Brunson are somewhat redundant. And Brunson will get significantly overpaid very soon. Meanwhile, Burke will likely stick around at 2/3M per for a couples of years like Barea did with the Mavs. It is reasonable contract on reasonable role. For Brunson, not so much. Paying Starter money for a backup role is never a good idea. I'd much rather pay DFS to 8/9M per. I don't think Brunson should be paid more than 4M per.

Gotta keep Brunson man. He's a part of the core. Burke really isn't. You keep the better of the two, even if you have to overpay for Brunson. But Brunson will be a re-signing and not a FA acquisition, so that means his increase in pay will be more reasonable. Just look at what the Mavs did with THJ, Kleber, DFS, and Powell (reasonable considering where they value him). You can throw Burke, WCS, Bobi, since those were technically re-signings too.

[41Dirk41]

Bruson has some trade value, Burke not.

Overpay Brunson is like we have overpaid Powell, a bad bad move.

[Nazrmohamed]

What's funny is Knicks fans have a fascination with Dallas players like Brunson and Dallas lives ex Knicks. As for Frank, I don't wanna ruin it for you and I want him to do well. The thing about Frank is he just doesn't take shots. He actually improved his shooting every yr in NY but when you come in and only pass the ball refusing to shoot and finish with 4 attempts, as a fan of his it's frustrating. He just doesn't shoot. Not chucking and missing, it's like Larry Brown was his idol at PG. I think Luka as a star would help him hide out in that regard and if paired with Luka he can help offset what he does well but Brunson won't lose any sleep at night.

His defense is without question though, it's legit........when your coach can afford to ignore 4 shot attempt nights ( and half of them are 2s)

[Phish Tank]

Frank will help your squad more often than not. I think leaving NY probably takes away the stigma of being a lotto pick that's paid a rookie scale salary with the expectation of being a savior at PG.

With that said, a few quick things with Frank:

1) 9 times out of 10, Kidd will probably play him alongside one of Luka or Brunson, two lead guards. That effectively limits his role on offense to catch and shoot 3s. Doesn't have to waste too much time creating for others except probably off the break. He was prone to lazy turnovers as he has a bad habit of passing the ball immediately crossing half court. That shouldn't happen anymore.

2) On defense, Frank will probably be an asset to the team, unless Kidd is still obsessed with the hyper traps he was famous for in Milwaukee. He does have a slight reputation for silly fouls, but that'll probably subside in a more defined role.

3) Frank's only weakness on defense is guards with a great first step. It was the case even before the Trae Young go-ahead basket in Game 1 last year. Lightning quick guards gave him a problem.

4) I'm not sure how big his role really is. He isn't a PG and shouldn't be used as one in the West. But he's a solid guard.

[Maverick41]

Thank you to the NY fans that joined this thread and gave some well thought out insight on Frank. Good stuff.

[DJ_3_Ball]

What's funny is Knicks fans have a fascination with Dallas players like Brunson and Dallas lives ex Knicks. As for Frank, I don't wanna ruin it for you and I want him to do well. The thing about Frank is he just doesn't take shots. He actually improved his shooting every yr in NY but when you come in and only pass the ball refusing to shoot and finish with 4 attempts, as a fan of his it's frustrating. He just doesn't shoot. Not chucking and missing, it's like Larry Brown was his idol at PG. I think Luka as a star would help him hide out in that regard and if paired with Luka he can help offset what he does well but Brunson won't lose any sleep at night.

His defense is without question though, it's legit........when your coach can afford to ignore 4 shot attempt nights ( and half of them are 2s)

I can see Frank being reluctant to shoot as a problem for the Knicks, particularly prior to Randle's emergence as the go to option in the offense.

For the Mavs, Luka can put up 25 shots a game, *if needed. It's not like if Frank doesn't shoot, we're worried "Where is the offense going to come from?" It's a little bit more of a problem that Frank can't spread the floor if the defense isn't worried about him shooting. How is his slashing to the basket, moving without the ball, etc. game on offense?

I also think the Mavs have their hands full trying to find enough shots to keep KP happy + THJ + Brunson when he's on the court + Bullock/Sterling Brown & develop young players like Josh Green & Moses Brown. If Frank doesn't want to shoot, not a problem for the Mavs offense. All we need him to do is be able to keep the defense honest.

It's very good to hear that his defense is legit. We have not had a stand out defender since the Tyson Chandler/Shawn Marion days. If Frank can come give us 15-20 minutes a night where he is a torn in the side of some of the West's best guards, that's a God send for the Mavs. Because no one else has been doing it. I've always felt DFS' defense was overrated. DFS is merely average. He's not above average. It'll be nice to have Frank & Josh Green in on some defensive possessions with the 2nd team. I think that pairing could be interesting. Potentially Moses Brown with that group as well, some actual rim protection. That could be a sneaky good defensive unit on the 2nd team.

[nedleeds]

@nedleeds how would you rate his defense?

In my opinion if he played real minutes he'd be in contention for all NBA type defense. He can hang with elite PGs in isolation despite not being lightning quick because he can catch up with one step and has insane long arms. He's really good about not biting on bull pump fakes. He can switch all the way down to 3s and hang in the post with all but like the unguardables (KD, Kawhi, etc).

This is him at his best

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He has far more offensive upside than a brick layer like Roberson. Go check out his advanced metrics on corner 3s. Look at his free throw form. He's a good player who had 5 coaches from age 18 1/2 to 22.

[HMFFL]

Dwain Price: Reggie Bullock and Frank Ntilikina returned to practice today after missing yesterday’s practice with an illness. But J-Kidd said: “I informed the team that Tyrell Terry has gone back home to take care of some family business, so he’ll be away from the team for a little bit.”

 

– via Twitter DwainPrice



Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[arkuo]

Seems like Terry keeps going away to take care of personal stuff every so often.

[DJ_3_Ball]

Seems like Terry keeps going away to take care of personal stuff every so often.

Yeah, I was excited about him on draft night. Bill Simmons was in love with him & really butthurt the Celtics didn't take him. Seemed like a lot of scouts were high on him too.

At this rate, I don't think the Mavs will re-sign him. He's played all of 56 NBA minutes in his career, and wasn't even with the team for half the season last year. I could see him being thrown in as salary filler in a deal. Or even cut by next season if he continues to miss time with the team.

It's definitely concerning. Not to mention, whatever personal issues he's dealing with. They sound severe. Prayers up.

[LAL1947]

Trade Terry, don't cut/waive... team doesn't have enough assets already. He might still be included in consolidation trades (2 for 1) along with Brunson, Moses, Sterling, Green, WCS, Burke and picks to get better players. I listed those because I think Luka, Porz, DFS, THJ, Kleber, and Bullock should be the core... while Powell is a negative for now because of the $$s and Boban is probably not tradable either.