Philadelphia 76ers should stay away from Frank Ntilikina trade talks

The Philadelphia 76ers may need help at the backup point guard spot, but the New York Knicks former lottery pick isn’t the answer.

The offseason is always full of roster turnover, the Philadelphia 76ers have only four players under normal contracts for next season. It became clear this past season that the Sixers need a better option at the backup point guard position. While the New York Knicks have a point guard on the market, it doesn’t mean the 76ers should be interested.

The Knicks have put former lottery pick Frank Ntilikina up on the trade market before the 2019 NBA Draft, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. The price for the former eighth overall pick is reasonable.

"“They also will look into offers for Ntilikina to see if they can add another early second-round or late first-round pick.”"

The reason for a cheap price tag is simple, Ntilikina has been a disappointment so far in his short career. He actually showed regression in terms of stats from year one to year two. For his career, the 20-year-old has averaged 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.5 turnovers, while shooting 35.4 percent from the field and 30.5 percent on 3-pointers. The European talent has potential as a defender and still has a lot of time to develop.

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Despite the potential, he’s a player that the Sixers shouldn’t trade the 33rd or 34th pick of the second round for. Ntilikina may end up being a solid player in years to come, but he’s nowhere close to being a contributor for a contending team. He needs playing time on a rebuilding team to develop, like the Atlanta Hawks for example.

The Sixers also don’t need another point guard that can’t shoot. Ben Simmons is unlikely to become a perimeter threat in one offseason and if T.J. McConnell re-signs, he’s not one to shoot outside shots often and at a high percentage. With players like Simmons and Joel Embiid, who are primarily inside scorers, adding a player like Ntilikina isn’t ideal for spacing.

Another reason why Philly shouldn’t be interested in Ntilikina is his contract. He’s owed around $4.9 million next season and has a team option for around $6.2 million for the season after next. Paying that price for a player who has yet to show much potential doesn’t make sense for a team trying to contend for a championship next year. Especially when the team is expected to pay big money in free agency.

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Ntilikina just isn’t a good fit when it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers salary cap needs or his current skill set with the team’s other core players. The Sixers need a new point guard this offseason, but Ntilikina isn’t that player.