Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr., 2017 lottery winners who are still trying to establish themselves, didn’t do enough to impress Thibodeau during the preseason to justify being part of his 10-man rotation. Even without Quickley in the second half on Wednesday, Thibodeau opted to use Alec Burks on Ntilikina and Smith, neither of whom got their rookie contract extension by Monday’s deadline.
“It’s all about performance,” said Thibodeau, who ultimately addressed Ntilikina in the final minutes on Wednesday night. “You have to make tough decisions, and we did. But I’ve never canceled anyone, as long as they keep working and when their opportunity comes, be ready. “