Frank Ntilikina would be the right choice for the Charlotte Hornets
Frank Ntilikina checks every box for the Charlotte Hornets and he should be at the top of their draft board this year.
The Charlotte Hornets have a number of needs to address this summer and one major key to their future success will depend on what they do with their lottery pick this year. They currently hold the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and with the talent of the incoming draft class, the team could go in a number of directions. They should seriously be considering Frank Ntilikina.
Even though the France international is one of the more unknown prospects in this year’s draft, he is also a very intriguing player. He is a surefire lottery pick and a high-risk, high-reward selection for whoever takes him. Even though he is young, the 18-year old has played professionally since 2015.
DraftExpress.com ranks Ntilikina as the top international prospect this year and the tenth overall play in the 2017 draft class. NBADraft.net has him has him going 10th overall to the Sacramento Kings. There is no doubt that he will be drafted in the top-12 but it is unclear exactly how high he could possibly go as Frank could potentially be a top seven pick.
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During the 2016-17 LNB Pro A season with Strasbourg, Ntilikina averaged 5.2 points per game, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He only averaged 18.3 minutes in 32 total games while shooting 48.4% from the field and 43.1% from three. Despite the seemingly low numbers, Frank has serious potential.
If he does manage to fall to the Hornets at 11, they should not hesitate to pick him. That is a pretty big if though because Ntilikina might jump up some draft boards if he impresses during individual workouts.
Backup Point Guard
Rich Cho already made it clear that Charlotte would address their backup point guard situation this summer. While they could sign a quality player in free agency, drafting Frank would fill that void. He could easily slide into the backup point guard role behind Kemba Walker. Ntilikina has a great feel for the game and would add scoring and playmaking to the Hornets’ second unit.
Steve Clifford’s side lacked a consistent playmaker off of the bench. Ramon Sessions and Brian Roberts both failed to fill the void left by Jeremy Lin. With the Frenchman on the team, they would fill the backup point guard spot and that would allow Rich Cho set his sights elsewhere during free agency.
Ability to Play Next to Kemba
What made the Hornets successful with Lin was that he could play with Walker in a two-point guard lineup. Ntilikina would give Steve Clifford that option. At 6’5, he has the height of an NBA shooting guard. While he may not have the strength to match most two guards just yet, Frank would get by with his length and athleticism.
Plus, he has experience playing off of the ball as the French guard played alongside former Florida point guard Erving Walker with his club team this past season. Even though Charlotte doesn’t necessarily need a point guard, they could play Ntilikina and Kemba together. That would be one deadly lineup with two playmaking guards.
Prospect With Upside to Build Around
One of the knocks on the Hornets’ current roster is that they lack a true prospect with real star potential. Kemba Walker has already proven himself to be an all-star but outside of him, they don’t have a player that would be considered top-25 in the NBA. Nicolas Batum is arguably the closest one.
Even their young players who are under-24 (Treveon Graham, Johnny O’Bryant, Frank Kaminsky and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist), don’t have that much upside. As for Ntilikina, he has the potential to be a star in the future if he pans out the way most expect him to. At only 18-years old, not only would he be the youngest player on the team by about five years but that also gives him plenty of room and time to develop and grow.
Intangibles
Not only does Frank have great skill with a high ceiling but he also has the physical tools to be great. With close to a rumored 7-foot wingspan, Ntilikina has incredible size. He is also a two-way player and far from one-dimensional as he can hold his own on the defensive end which is crucial under Coach Clifford. He would also add shooting to the squad which is another area where the team is looking to improve.
Next: Taking a look at potential second round prospects
It will all depend on how far Ntilikina falls on June 22nd. If the Charlotte Hornets have the chance to draft him, they can not afford to pass up on that opportunity. Frank would be the ideal draft pick ahead of other prospects like Zach Collins, Jarrett Allen, Justin Jackson and Luke Kennard.