Knicks Rumors: New Frank Ntilikina Contract Wasn't Discussed Prior to Deadline

With the deadline for teams to sign players to contract extensions now passed, Frank Ntilikina's future with the New York Knicks is up in the air.   

Per Ian Begley of SNY.tv, the Knicks never talked with Ntilikina about a contract extension prior to Monday's deadline. 

New York's decision not to extend the 22-year-old will make him eligible for restricted free agency after this season. 

It's not a total surprise to see the Knicks decide to wait on Ntilikina's future. They are entering their first full season with Leon Rose as team president and Tom Thibodeau as head coach. 

The Knicks made Ntilikina the eighth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He had been a rising star in France's LNB Pro A league before coming to the NBA, winning the Best Young Player Award in 2016 and 2017. 

Ntilikina has been a disappointment through his first three seasons. The Belgian point guard has mostly been used off the bench in his career. He's averaged 6.0 points, 3.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 178 games since 2017-18. 

Last season, Ntilikina's 45.9 effective field-goal percentage ranked 307th out of 327 qualified players. 

When the Knicks open the 2020-21 season Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, Ntilikina will likely be the backup point guard behind Elfrid Payton.