New York Knicks: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 25: Kristaps Porzingis meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Many great players have donned the orange and blue, but who are the 15 greatest NBA Draft picks in New York Knicks history?

For a franchise that has failed to sustain success over the past 20 years, the New York Knicks have done an excellent job of drafting quality talent. New York doesn’t always retain the rights to its NBA Draft picks, but the franchise has done well when it’s invested in its players.

With constantly raging debates about whether or not the Knicks should trade their picks for established players, it’s only fair to remind fans of what could be.

The Knicks have long been heralded for their ability to maximize the value of their draft position. They’ve rarely been in possession of top-five, let alone top-10, selections in the NBA Draft, but they’ve managed to find quality players nonetheless.

As one of the king franchises of finding steals, it’s only right to evaluate whom the greatest selections are in franchise history.

In some instances, New York found and selected players who would go on to become key rotational cogs from unexpected draft positions. In others, the Knicks landed genuine Hall of Fame talent that left an everlasting impression on the franchise.

The question is: Who are the 15 greatest NBA Draft selections in the illustrious history of the New York Knicks?