The Knicks' most polarizing player may have turned a corner on his biggest weakness as he enters a crucial stretch

• Frank Ntilikina is leading the Knicks in three-point shooting.
• Shooting has always been Ntilikina's biggest weakness, but he could be a valuable "3-and-D" player.
• Ntilikina can hit free agency this summer and he could now be part of the Knicks' future.

Frank Ntilikina is the best three-point shooter on the New York Knicks.

That's not conjecture or some bold statement - the fourth-year guard is currently leading the team in three-point shooting, hitting 13 of 21 attempts, 61.9%, this season.

In fact, over his last 22 games, dating back to the 2019-20 season, Ntilikina has shot 25-of-54, 44.4%, from three.

It's a small sample size, to be sure. Last year's Knicks' season ended abruptly due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the NBA didn't invite them to the Disney bubble. Ntilikina has also only played in nine games this year because of a knee injury and several DNPs (Did Not Play).

However, in recent weeks, Ntilikina has re-entered the rotation because of an injury to Elfrid Payton and COVID-19 protocols keeping Derrick Rose out. In that five-game span, his shot has emerged, knocking down 8-of-12 attempts, including his last six.

If Ntilikina's shooting holds up, it would be a huge development for the Knicks. Ntilikina, the 2017 eighth overall pick, has always struggled to shoot consistently, from anywhere on the court. In his first three seasons, he didn't top 40% shooting from the field or 32% from three.

That lack of shooting has hurt his playing time throughout his career. Though Ntilikina has been a plus defender since entering the NBA, opponents haven't feared leaving him open. Combined with a hesitancy to create his own shot, Ntilikina has rarely been able to stay on the court for long stretches of time.

While Ntilikina has a vocal group of supporters among fans and analysts, many others have felt the lack of progress in his offensive game means that he simply isn't very good.

NBA teams are in constant search of "3-and-D" players - that is, players capable of stretching the floor and defending the opponent's best player on the other end.

Ntilikina has proven his value on the defensive end over his career. If shots like this hold up, the Knicks might have something:

An opposing scout told SNY's Ian Begley of Ntilikina's recent shooting, including the above step-back three against the Pistons: "He looks stronger, and his shot looks much more comfortable, repeatable. The step-back was an eye-opener. Didn't think he could do that."

Cynics would point to Ntilikina's 31% shooting from two and 60% shooting from the line this year as reasons to believe his recent shooting from deep is fluky. While both numbers are dreadful, they also are small samples: he's taken just 13 two-point attempts all season and gone 3-of-5 from the free-throw line. Ntilikina shot a less-ghastly 44% on twos last season and is 74-of-89 (83%) from the free-throw line since his rookie season.

In fact, Ntilikina's solid free-throw percentage has always made the NBA world optimistic that his outside shot would come around.

Ntilikina is entering a crucial stretch of his career

If Ntilikina wants to remain with the Knicks, his shooting may be coming around at the right time.

Ntilikina will become a restricted free agent this offseason if the Knicks extend him a qualifying offer. They chose not to give him an extension before this season.

While the Knicks could match any offer Ntilikina receives in free agency if he is restricted, it has recently felt as though the two sides were heading toward a split. Begley previously reported that the Knicks shopped Ntilikina ahead of the 2020 draft but couldn't find offers they liked.

The trade deadline is approaching on March 25, and the Knicks are reportedly eyeing targets that could improve their playoff push. As reported in the New York Post on Tuesday, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has weighed trading young players for veteran upgrades. Could Ntilikina be part of such a deal?

If he isn't, then he could be a factor in the rest of the Knicks' season, playoff berth or not. The Knicks are still at a stage where they are looking for core pieces to be build around - Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and Immanuel Quickley are presumably all part of the future.

Ntilikina might work his way into it if he can sustain his shooting.

"If he can shoot consistently from the perimeter, he has a lot of value," the scout told Begley. "That's the kind of player every competitor needs: a defender who can shoot."

In 2018, an NBA assistant coach told Insider that Ntilikina could be a "game-changer" if he put all of his tools together. The Knicks may be watching that process unfold now.