The Best Value Picks for the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Draft

The last thing on the minds of Knicks fans right now is the NBA Draft. After all, they’re still celebrating the franchise’s first championship in more than half a century. But if the Knicks want to avoid another 53-year wait between titles, the draft offers one of their best opportunities to strengthen an already championship-caliber roster. With the 24th overall pick, who should New York target to help ensure another trip down the Canyon of Heroes happens sooner rather than later?

Allen Graves

College: Santa Clara Position: Power Forward Height: 6'9 Weight: 226 Draft Age: 19 Numbers per 36 Minutes: 18.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 51% FG, 41% 3PT Advanced: 24.4 PER, .225 Win Shares per 40, 118.6 Offensive Rating, 92.7 Defensive Rating, 13.0 BPM

The best option for the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Draft is Graves. He’s a top-10 talent who simply isn’t getting enough credit. The numbers back it up. Only two players in college basketball history have posted a PER of at least 29, a BPM of at least 13, and an Offensive Rating of at least 139: Graves and Anthony Davis. When your statistical profile puts you in a club of two alongside one of the most dominant college players of the modern era, it’s hard to argue that you’re being properly valued when teams that made the playoffs are considering them.

Joshua Jefferson

College: Iowa State Position: Power Forward Height: 6'9 Weight: 246 Draft Age: 22 Numbers per 36 Minutes: 19.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 47% FG, 35% 3PT Advanced: 24.4 PER, .225 Win Shares per 40, 118.6 Offensive Rating, 92.7 Defensive Rating, 13.0 BPM

One of the few weaknesses on the NBA champion Knicks was their wing depth. Behind OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, there wasn’t much reliable support on the perimeter. Jefferson could help address that immediately. Unlike many prospects who require years of development, he’s a polished, proven player who looks ready to contribute from Day 1. That’s exactly the type of addition a defending champion should be targeting. Jefferson led all Big 12 forwards in assists per game at 4.8, comfortably ahead of the next closest players, A.J. Dybantsa and Baba Miller, who each averaged 3.7. He’s also one of the top defensive wings in this draft class, using his length and instincts to disrupt plays while averaging 1.11 blocks per 40 minutes.

Ebuka Okorie

College: Stanford Position: Point Guard Height: 6'2 Weight: 186 Draft Age: 19 Numbers per 36 Minutes: 23.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 47% FG, 35% 3PT Advanced: 26.5 PER, .210 Win Shares per 40, 126.2 Offensive Rating, 110.5 Defensive Rating, 10.6 BPM

After watching Miles McBride shoot just 33% in the playoffs, the idea of adding a scoring guard becomes especially appealing. He ranked third among all freshmen in points per game, trailing only A.J. Dybantsa and Darius Acuff Jr., while outscoring highly regarded prospects Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. Landing a player with that kind of scoring pedigree at this spot in the draft would represent tremendous value for the Knicks.

Dailyn Swain

College: Texas Position: Shooting Guard Height: 6'7 Weight: 211 Draft Age: 20 Numbers per 36 Minutes: 19.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 54% FG, 34% 3PT Advanced: 25.0 PER, .190 Win Shares per 40, 125.7 Offensive Rating, 107.7 Defensive Rating, 10.5 BPM

If the Knicks choose not to re-sign Landry Shamet or decide to move in a different direction with Miles McBride, Swain could be an intriguing option. He was the best player on a Texas team that reached the Elite Eight this past season and brings a well-rounded game that fits today’s NBA. Among non-centers in the SEC, only one player averaged more rebounds than Swain last season, highlighting his ability to impact the game beyond scoring. Offensively, he’s also one of the most efficient mid-range scorers in this draft class, shooting 54% from the field while posting a stellar 64% true shooting percentage.

Henri Veesaar

College: North Carolina Position: Center Height: 7'0 Weight: 227 Draft Age: 22 Numbers per 36 Minutes: 19.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 61% FG, 43% 3PT Advanced: 25.4 PER, .209 Win Shares per 40, 128.6 Offensive Rating, 102.1 Defensive Rating, 10.7 BPM

Yes, the Knicks just won a championship with Mitchell Robinson, whose offensive limitations can occasionally shrink the floor. So why not add a seven-footer who can stretch defenses and knock down threes? Veesaar fits that mold perfectly. Among all seven-footers who attempted at least 50 three-pointers this past season, nobody shot a higher percentage from beyond the arc. In fact, it wasn’t even close as the next-best mark was just 39.7%. For a player his size, that kind of shooting ability is a rare and valuable weapon.