Cavs: Free agent Frank Ntilikina makes sense as reclamation project

In the 2017 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks selected Frank Ntilikina with the eighth overall pick. Now, just four years later, Ntilikina is looking for a new NBA home. The Knicks recently renounced Ntilikina’s rights, making him an unrestricted free agent and giving him the freedom to play for whomever he pleases.

Considering how long he’s lasted into free agency, his market shouldn’t be much, meaning that it shouldn’t cost much to potentially sign the young guard.

Ntilikina’s start to his career has been rough as a limited role and inconsistent minutes had pushed him out of the rotation. There are many questions as to why Ntilikina hadn’t lived up to his potential.

Was it the inconsistent role? Were the bright lights of Madison Square Garden too much? How much did injuries affect him? Whatever the case, a new opportunity is needed.

In a recent report by Chris Fedor, he discussed how the Cleveland Cavaliers have explored the point guard market with the hopes of adding a third one to the team and could still look to do so. Considering those that are available, they should look to sign one that is low-cost, fits the young core, and can improve the perimeter defense and versatility of the team. Ntilikina fits the bill.

Ntilikina would make sense for the Cavs as a potential reclamation project.

Looking at him as a player, his 6-foot-4, 200-pound build paired with his 7-foot wingspan gives him the ability to play the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward positions in certain situations. Though he won’t solve the team’s shooting woes, Ntilikina has at least shown the ability to hit the open three-pointer. This past season, he made 23 of his 48 threes through his 33 games played.

Ntilikina is a player that attributes to winning basketball, despite what the box scores may say.

Looking at his On-Off Numbers this past season, the opponent’s offensive rating was three points worse while he was on the court compared to off the court. That number was at his best during his rookie season when the opponent’s offensive rating was six points worse with him on the court as opposed to off it. His rookie season was when he played the most for the Knicks so the correlation should be noted.

Looking at a potential role for the Cavaliers, it looks as if Ntilikina performs best in a steady role so that should be noted when determining how many minutes he could receive and how often he’d play. In any scenario, it is likely that he’ll play a majority of his minutes with Darius Garland or Collin Sexton. And seeing as he has playmaking abilities, this gives him the ability to play both on and off the ball alongside them.

To maximize his success on the team if he were to be signed, the Cavs coaching staff should not only look to give him a consistent role as well as play him with players who best suit his playstyle, such as Dylan Windler, if he can establish a rhythm early on next season. To further elaborate, having Ntilikina on the court with floor spacers around him could allow for easy finishes around the rim for him whether it be on drives or cuts.

This is an opportunity that the Cavs should look to pounce on, perhaps via some of the $9.5 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception; generally, via team-friendly deal.

All in all, Ntilikina was a project player that didn’t get many opportunities to grow into a quality NBA player. In a new environment without the weight of being a top pick on his shoulders, Ntilikina could re-write his NBA career.

His versatility would make it easier for the Cavaliers to carve out a possible role for him and if the team were to be patient with him, he could turn into a viable option for them as they look to be competitive once again.