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Report: Magic, Suns expressing interest in Ntilikina

Naomi Baker / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Frank Ntilikina experiment in the Big Apple could be coming to an abrupt end.

Both the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns have expressed interest in the New York Knicks point guard ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline, a source told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

Bondy notes that president Steve Mills is a supporter of Ntilikina, having drafted him eighth overall in the 2017 NBA Draft - ahead of guards Dennis Smith Jr. and Donovan Mitchell. However, current GM Scott Perry recently approached the Atlanta Hawks to gauge their interest in the Frenchman, a source told Bondy.

Ntilikina has struggled to find consistent playing time since breaking into the league.

During his rookie season, he was behind Jarrett Jack and Ramon Sessions on the depth chart. The acquisition of Emmanuel Mudiay this season has also cut into Ntilikina's minutes.

The 20-year-old hasn't logged more than 30 minutes in a game since Nov. 2 and has been a healthy DNP-CD four times during the 2018-19 season.

Heading into the draft, Ntilikina's 7-foot-1 wingspan was lauded as a potential defensive weapon. That could help a Knicks squad that ranks second-last in defensive rating heading into Saturday's action.

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