The Best NBA Players Chosen at Every Knicks Draft Slot

The Knicks just won their first title in over half a century, so it’s understandable if the NBA Draft feels like a footnote. But the defending champs still own three picks, and history suggests those selections could yield anything from role players to future stars. To get an idea of what’s possible, let’s look at the greatest players ever drafted in each of the slots the Knicks currently hold.

55th Pick

3. Mark Blount

Draft Year: 1997 Draft Team: Sonics Drafted from: Pittsburgh NBA Career: 8.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.8 APG, 12.5 PER, 18.8 Win Shares in 9 seasons with Celtics, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Heat

2. Aaron Wiggins

Draft Year: 2021 Draft Team: Thunder Drafted from: Maryland NBA Career: 2025 NBA champion; 8.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 13.4 PER, 15.0 Win Shares in 5 seasons with Thunder

1. Patty Mills

Draft Year: 2009 Draft Team: Trail Blazers Drafted from: Saint Mary’s NBA Career: 2014 NBA champion; 8.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 13.3 PER, 35.9 Win Shares in 16 seasons with Trail Blazers, Spurs, Nets, Hawks, Heat, Jazz, Clippers

31st Pick

3. Danny Ainge

Draft Year: 1981 Draft Team: Celtics Drafted from: BYU NBA Career: 2x NBA champion, 1988 All-Star; 11.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 14.7 PER, 71.5 Win Shares in 14 seasons with Celtics, Kings, Trail Blazers, Suns

2. Doc Rivers

Draft Year: 1983 Draft Team: Hawks Drafted from: Marquette NBA Career: 1988 All-Star; 10.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, 16.6 PER, 68.2 Win Shares in 13 seasons with Hawks, Clippers, Knicks, Kings

1. Gilbert Arenas

Draft Year: 2001 Draft Team: Warriors Drafted from: Arizona NBA Career: 3x All-NBA, 3x All-Star, 2002–03 Most Improved Player; 20.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.3 APG, 19.6 PER, 51.3 Win Shares in 11 seasons with Warriors, Wizards, Magic, Grizzlies

24th Pick

5. Andrei Kirilenko

Draft Year: 1999 Draft Team: Jazz Drafted from: Russia NBA Career: 2004 All-Star, 2004–05 Block Leader, 3x All-Defensive, 2001–02 All-Rookie; 11.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 18.7 PER, 75.4 Win Shares in 13 seasons with Jazz, Timberwolves, Nets

4. Terry Porter

Draft Year: 1985 Draft Team: Trail Blazers Drafted from: Wisconsin-Stevens Point NBA Career: 2x All-Star; 12.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.6 APG, 17.2 PER, 110.4 Win Shares in 17 seasons with Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, Heat, Spurs

3. Sam Cassell

Draft Year: 1993 Draft Team: Rockets Drafted from: Florida State NBA Career: 3x NBA champion, 2003–04 All-NBA, 2004 All-Star; 15.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 19.5 PER, 87.5 Win Shares in 15 seasons with Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, Nets, Bucks, Timberwolves, Clippers, Celtics

2. Latrell Sprewell

Draft Year: 1992 Draft Team: Warriors Drafted from: Alabama NBA Career: 1993–94 All-NBA, 4x All-Star, 1993–94 All-Defensive, 1992–93 All-Rookie; 18.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 15.1 PER, 56.3 Win Shares in 13 seasons with Warriors, Knicks, Timberwolves

1. Kyle Lowry

Draft Year: 2006 Draft Team: Grizzlies Drafted from: Florida State NBA Career: 2019 NBA champion, 2015–16 All-NBA, 6x All-Star; 13.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 17.3 PER, 112.4 Win Shares in 20 seasons with Grizzlies, Rockets, Raptors, Heat, 76ers