NBA: Knicks: Ntilikina starts instead of Knox!

New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale announced on Tuesday that Frank Ntilikina will take the place of rookie Kevin Knox at the Knicks’ season opener against Atlanta Hawks in the night from Wednesday to Thursday.

Fizdale justified the decision with the fact that the Frenchman had earned his job in the Starting Five through good performances in the preseason. In all five preparatory games Knox was still in the first five.

“I think the most important thing is to establish a culture where you have to earn [a place in the Starting Five],” said the new Knicks head coach. “I don’t think Kevin deserves more than Frank these days.”

At the same time, Fizdale stressed that the draft 2018’s No. 9 pick in the preseason had already shown strong approaches. However, Knox only hit 33 percent out of the field. Ntilikina, on the other hand, convinced the coach with his consistency.

However, Fizdale reserves the right to make changes to the Starting Five at any time depending on how the players present themselves on the floor.

Meanwhile, there could also be changes in the squad. As Zach Lowe of ESPN reports, the Knicks are trying to get rid of Courtney Lee by trade. The Shooting Guard will earn approximately $12.5 million per season over the next two years.

Should a trade succeed, the Knicks would have more Cap Space available next summer to lure a superstar into the Big Apple. Lee averaged 12 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season, and could give a play-off team important depth on the wing.