New York Knicks: A recent history of traded first-round picks

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DENVER – NOVEMBER 27: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets smiles on the court during the game against the New York Knicks on November 27, 2009 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 128-125. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks have sent more than a few first-round picks away in trades over the years.

At Monday’s town hall event, New York Knicks executive Steve Mills said the team will not trade first round picks. It’s consistent with the stance of the past few years, without a top selection moved since 2014.

However, in the years before this last deal, the Knicks were liberal in their movement of first round picks. What were the deals and how did they result for both parties involved?

Knicks acquire: Antonio McDyess and a 2002 first round pick

Nuggets acquire: Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and a 2002 first round pick

From the get-go, the New York Knicks struggled with the trade of first round picks. It started with the 2002 draft-day trade of Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and the first round pick to the Denver Nuggets for Antonio McDyess and a 2002 first-round pick.

The Knicks selection that went to Denver? Nene Hilario, or just known as Nene, who’s 16 years and counting into his NBA career.

Nene developed into a quality starter 10 seasons with the Nuggets, despite an array of injuries along the way and no NBA All-Star game appearance. He compiled 12.4 points and 7 rebounds in 555 games and now plays for the Houston Rockets.

Camby continued his growth as a starting center, as he played for the Nuggets until 2008, topped three blocks per game in four consecutive seasons and became one of the NBA’s top defensive centers. He returned to the Knicks in 2012-13, but at the tail end of his career.

Jackson never played for Denver, but that meant nothing, since Camby and Nene were more than quality additions.

For the Knicks, they missed McDyess for all of the 2002-03 season, due to a knee injury, and only had him for 18 games in 2003-04, before a trade to the Phoenix Suns that cost another first-round pick.

Even before that, McDyess played in just 10 games in the 2001-02 season. He was a 20-10 player in previous years, however, which may have led to the value the Knicks paid.

The Denver pick sent to New York, which became Frank Williams, only played in 77 games from 2002-04, appeared nine times for the Chicago Bulls in 2004-05 and never stepped onto an NBA court again.

The Knicks lost out on a worthwhile draft pick and shipped away one who could have stayed through the late 2000’s. It contributed to the team’s look and what happened in 2004.

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