Knicks infatuated by French point guard prospect Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks appear to be interested in drafting Frank Ntilikina.

Can Frank Ntilikina become a franchise-caliber point guard in the NBA? The Knicks apparently think so. The Knicks project to hold the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and appear to have their eye on the French point guard prospect.

Marc Berman of the New York Post had the following report on the Knicks interest in Ntilikina:

"“According to an NBA source, Knicks general manager Steve Mills jetted to France to catch 18-year-old point guard Frank Ntilikina play Tuesday night for Strasbourg in a French League match against Nanterre.The 6-foot-5 Ntikilina is considered the top international prospect in the draft, and if the Knicks stay with the seventh pick, he would be heavily considered.”"

Ntilikina is far from a sure thing at this stage. The 18-year old is currently averaging 5.3 points over the course of 17.8 minutes per game overseas. The French guard, however, has been a knockdown shooter from deep with a 43.2 percent clip from 3-point range. The Knicks could go the international route again after previously drafting Kristaps Porzingis in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft.

With Derrick Rose expected to depart via free agency this summer, the Knicks are very much in the point guard market. Chasson Randle is the only other point guard on the roster at this point in time. If the Knicks go the point guard route in free agency, George Hill, Kyle Lowry, Jrue Holliday and Jeff Teague are just some of the available options this summer.

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The 2017 NBA Draft is expected to be flooded with quality point guard prospects. With the seventh overall pick, De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith could also be options. If the Knicks are lucky enough to win the draft lottery, Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball could also be on the team’s radar.