For one reason or another, the New York Knicks have scored selections late in the first round of the NBA Draft for the better part of the last two decades. That doesn’t mean they’ve had to settle for talents at the bottom of the scrap heap.
The Knicks have the No. 24 and No. 25 picks in 2024. There is much anticipation over which players they’ll select to potentially propel them into a new era of championship contention as pillars for their future. The Knicks’ front office has a track record that gives the team’s faithful reason to believe they won’t drop the ball with draft night this time around.
Knicks have continually hit on late first-rounders over the last 20 years
The Sporting News’ Scott Davis resurfaced New York’s history of picks in the 20s. They include Immanuel Quickley (25th pick – 2020), Quentin Grimes (25th pick – 2021), Tim Hardaway Jr. (24th pick – 2013), Wilson Chandler (23rd pick – 2007), Renaldo Balkman (20th pick – 2006), and David Lee (30th pick – 2005).
Of that bunch, Lee became a two-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, while Quickley emerged as a Sixth Man of the Year finalist with the Knicks. Chandler made a name for himself as a high-end scoring role player and Grimes and Blackman established themselves as two-way contributors in the league.
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New York is now looking at potential draftees like Purdue’s Zach Edey and Virginia’s Ryan Dunn, among other top talents in the class of 2024. If their prior history at and around their two slots this year says anything about their scouting ability, it’s that they have a knack for finding gems outside of the lottery that can contribute out of the gates.
