3 New York Knicks who won’t be back next season

2. Frank Ntilikina

Frank Ntilikina got his first action of the series against the Hawks in the final minute of Game 1, as Thibodeau followed through on the idea of giving him the task of guarding Trae Young. That was an unfair spot to have to come into a game cold off the bench, and of course it didn’t go well, as Young hit the game-winning shot. Then Ntilikina registered virtually no playing time for the rest of the series, just shy of three minutes total with two DNPs in Games 2 and 5.

If it wasn’t already clear, Ntilikina needs a change of scenery. Thibodeau is the fourth Knicks coach (full-time or interim) who has found little or no use for him. But it’s also not as if he’s proven worthy of getting a lot of playing time, and he’s continually being bumped down the depth chart.

The Knicks could extend Ntilikina his qualifying offer, valued at a shade over $7 million (according to Spotrac) since he didn’t meet the starter criteria (naturally), and give themselves the ability to match any offer sheet he might get as a restricted free agent. But it’s hard to see them doing that, when they can just set him free and free up additional cap space. Maybe, they would circle back and sign him cheap if he finds a cold market. But that’s a huge maybe, and surely not a priority.

Ntilikina struggled for a real role on this year’s Knicks. The idea they’ll add a big-name point guard (Chris Paul, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry) this offseason means the former lottery pick is likely gone.