ORLANDO — Louis Labeyrie, the other Knicks draft pick from France, would like to see more French spoken in the Knicks’ locker room this fall.
A European stash pick in 2014, selected at No. 57, Labeyrie is making his third appearance on the Knicks’ summer-league team. After the first two summer-league stints, the Knicks didn’t offer him a guarantee to come to training camp, so he went back to the French league.
With 18-year-old French prodigy Frank Ntilikina aboard as the Knicks’ 2017 lottery pick, Labeyrie’s presence may not be the worst thing, even if the scrappy prospect needs to get stronger and hit the weight room.
“Clearly to have a guy who’s French to help you out, talking to you about his feelings, maybe not understanding some things,’’ Labeyrie told The Post, “I think it’s always a plus to play with a compatriot in the NBA.’’
Labeyrie, who played for Paris-Levallois, went against Ntilikina twice this season in the French league, and Ntilikina’s hoops aptitude stood out.
“Nice kid, great IQ,’’ Labeyrie said. “Physically he’s going to be — not in trouble, but he’s not above these guys yet. But his IQ is way better than these guys in summer league.’’
Ntilikina probably will miss the summer league because of a bruised right knee suffered in Game 5 of the French league finals, staged the day after he got selected No. 8 in the draft. He’s missed the first three games of summer league and is expected to rest the final two, including Wednesday afternoon’s match against the Magic.
“He’s more than a smart player,’’ Labeyrie said. “You’re only smart when you’re 7. He’s smart for a point guard. He has a big long wingspan, shoots the ball, dribbles easy with confidence. Right now, maybe he has to get used to it.’’
New York native Joakim Noah — son of French tennis star Yannick Noah — can speak French with Ntilikina in the Knicks locker room. Maurice Ndour, another French speaker, was released last week.
Meanwhile, Labeyrie, who has shot 9 for 15 through three summer league games, is 25 years old, and it’s getting close to being now or never. Labeyrie signed a few days ago with Strasbourg, Ntilikina’s former team, and will play there next season if he doesn’t get a Knicks partial guarantee for training camp.
Another thing working in Labeyrie’s favor is the two-way contract the Knicks can offer under the terms of the new CBA, giving the Knicks essentially a 17-man roster and an easier chance to develop a European stash pick.
An active player, Labeyrie is averaging seven rebounds in 18 minutes per game in Orlando. He hauled down 11 rebounds in the second game — four on the offensive glass. He’s got an ugly shot, but it often goes in.
“I’m playing with more confidence,’’ Labeyrie said. “I’m not surprised anymore about the intensity of the players. I’m trying to show what I can bring to an NBA team. I think I’m ready. I know my strengths — high intensity, great motor rebounding, never giving up on anything.’’
Knicks acting president Steve Mills, who drafted Labeyrie along with ousted Phil Jackson, is adamant about developing their young players.
“It’s a messy situation they have right now, so I’m not the first option for them to think about,’’ Labeyrie said. “I’ll just play hard and grind.’’