2018 NBA Mock Draft: If need were all that mattered

The fit in this case is all about Frank Ntilikina, the Knicks’ first-round pick from last year.

Ntilikina flashed exciting two-way potential in New York last year, especially on the defensive end. Unfortunately, the team was still a disaster, and coach Jeff Hornacek’s unwillingness to fully commit to playing Ntilikina may have contributed to his axing after the season. The franchise views Ntilikina as an off-guard offensively, meaning they may try to address their hole at point guard by drafting either Sexton or Trae Young with the ninth pick.

As a rookie, Ntilikina shot .364/.318/.721, and he will need to become a better at-rim finisher to even have a hope of playing off the ball in the NBA. That’s where Sexton could be helpful. At Alabama, the 19-year-old actually played off the ball often and learned how to be effective in spot-up situations as well as attacking on drives. That versatility on offense should help simplify things for Ntilikina in his second year.

Searching for an identity, another aspect of Sexton’s game that could appeal to the Knicks under new coach David Fizdale is his on-ball defense. All signs point to the team being without big man Kristaps Porzingis for the early part of the year, meaning they will have to be better defensively to compete. The league’s 23rd-ranked defense going from Jarrett Jack’s defense to Sexton’s would likely improve.

It remains to be seen what Ntilikina becomes in the NBA, but adding Sexton to the backcourt will help him reach his potential.