Fansided

5 hottest NBA Summer League attractions fans need to see in Vegas

By Daniel Stave

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. New York Knicks

Knicks Schedule:

  • Saturday vs. Atlanta – 5:30 ET – ESPN
  • Sunday vs. Utah – 9:00 ET – NBATV
  • Tuesday vs. LA Lakers – 8:30 ET – ESPN2

The two big names will be 2017 first-round pick Frank Ntilikina and 2018 No. 9 pick Kevin Knox.

Ntilikina flashed some potential as a rookie but is still an unfinished product. Drafted as a point guard, the team realized he likely is better off the ball. He has a prototypical body for an elite defensive player that can guard multiple positions.

Knox is a combo forward from Kentucky. David Fizdale has said he expects Knox to be a starter in his rookie season. The Knicks are counting on these two to develop into foundational pieces around Kristaps Porzingis.

Knicks fans should be intrigued by 6’ 11” center Mitchell Robinson. Robinson was a top-10 prospect in the high school class of 2017. He committed to Western Kentucky, but ran into academic issues and had to sit out the season. The Knicks selected him with the 36th pick in the 2018 draft. He’ll see his first real action in more than a year in Las Vegas.

Another possible gem is undrafted free agent Allonzo Trier from Arizona. Trier was one of his class’ top prospects in high school and was productive in college. However, he missed time at Arizona due to both injuries and suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs. Which explains why he fell out of the draft. Trier signed a two-way contract with the Knicks, so he will split his rookie season between the NBA and G-League.

The Knicks also have several players who saw action for them in 2017-18 going to Las Vegas.

Damyean Dotson was a second round pick in the 2017 draft. He played 44 games for the Knicks as a rookie and could become a solid wing to fit into the rotation behind Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Courtney Lee.

Luke Kornet was signed by the Knicks in February after going undrafted a year ago. At 7’1”, Kornet has the size and shooting ability to be a desirable big man in the modern NBA. He played 20 games for the Knicks last season.

Troy Williams has bounced around in his short NBA career, playing for the Rockets, Grizzlies, and Knicks in the two years since he came out of Indiana. Williams also joined the Knicks in February and played 17 games. At 6’7”, he has enough skill to develop into a rotational wing player.

Isaiah Hicks was a starter on the 2017 North Carolina national championship team. He played 18 games for the Knicks last year splitting time between the G-League and NBA.

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