When the New York Knicks selected Frank Ntilikina over Dennis Smith Jr. with the eighth overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, many felt that the Knicks had made a mistake.
There were even some within the Knicks organization who felt that Smith was the better talent.
Well, now, we are two years into the careers of both guards, and we still don't really have an answer as to who is better.
However, the Dallas Mavericks—who ended up taking Smith ninth overall—have put Smith on the trading block and seem very poised to move him prior to the Feb. 7 trade deadline.
Could things come full circle with New York making a play for the 21-year-old?
Don't count on it.
While Marc Berman of The New York Post says that the Knicks did inquire about the services of Smith prior to the season, they have not done so lately, indicating that they are not all that interested in the floor general.
Here is the thing with Ntilikina: he may be struggling with his shot and finding any sort of offensive rhythm, but defensively, he has outstanding potential and is already one of the better young perimeter defenders in the league thanks to his combination of size, length and athleticism.
Smith, on the other hand, is a very poor defender, and while he is more polished offensively than Ntilikina, he is not an efficient scorer, and a host of injury issues—including persistent knee problems—since he entered the NBA have caused the Mavericks to sour on him.
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