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New York Knicks: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

By Maxwell Ogden

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)
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) /
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Mark Jackson, New York Knicks
BOSTON – 1988: Mark Jackson #13 of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Boston Celtics during a game circa 1988 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

One of the most popular players in franchise history, Mark Jackson made an immediate impact for the New York Knicks. He was arguably the best facilitator in franchise history, as well as a leader in the locker room and a tough-minded individual who helped birth the culture.

While younger fans may know him as a head coach, and Knicks fans might remember Jackson playing for the enemy, he’s one of the best draft picks ever.

Jackson was selected at No. 18 overall in the 1987 NBA Draft and immediately earned all-time steal status. He won the 1988 Rookie of the Year award with averages of 13.6 points, 10.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.

Perhaps most importantly, the Knicks increased their win count by 10 between 1986-87 and 1987-88, ending a three-year postseason drought.

Jackson went on to make the All-Star Game in 1988-89, when the Knicks won 52 games—their most wins since 1972-73. He would play seven total seasons for New York, amassing 4,005 career assists along the way—second in franchise history.

Jackson may not be the head coach of the Knicks, but he’ll be remembered as one of the greatest point guards and draft picks in franchise history.