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New York Knicks: How players picked after Kristaps Porzingis have fared

By Rob Wolkenbrod

TARRYTOWN, NY - JUNE 26: Kristaps Porzingis, first round Draft pick of the New York Knicks speaks to the media at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility on June 26, 2015 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - JUNE 26: Kristaps Porzingis, first round Draft pick of the New York Knicks speaks to the media at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility on June 26, 2015 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks Mario Hezonja (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Kristaps Porzingis is no longer with the New York Knicks, but they struck gold at fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

The New York Knicks were positioned for a top pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. They did not land first overall, but fourth. This dampened expectations for the potential selection made by the then-president of basketball operations, Phil Jackson.

It became Kristaps Porzingis, which was jeered by the New York City faithful. An international mystery man at the time, the 7-foot-3 Latvian proved to be a worthy draft pick.

Of course, the events of January 2019 ended Porzingis’ tenure with the Knicks, but compared to the players that went after him in the 2015 NBA Draft, this was a success.

Nearly four years later, how have players picked after Porzingis performed? Let’s take a look:

player. 38. . SF. Croatia. Mario Hezonja. 5

Slash Line: .414/.323/.810
Career Averages: 7.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.7 3PM

Mario Hezonja made this back-to-back international picks in the 2015 NBA Draft when the Orlando Magic selected him fifth overall. This also eventually became the second lottery pick of this draft to join the New York Knicks.

Upside has always been apparent with Hezonja, whose 6-foot-8 frame and long arms teased positives at both ends of the floor. In spurts, that happened with the Magic, but two disappointing seasons caused Orlando to decline his fourth-year option, and they let him walk as a free agent in 2018.

The Knicks signed Hezonja to a $6.5 million deal, hoping for a meaningful change of scenery. New York general manager Scott Perry was even part of the group that picked the Croatian forward, so it also provided a second chance for this executive.

The results never proved positive in the Big Apple, however. More of the same followed Hezonja, despite his game-winning block on LeBron James. His shooting ability showed, but never stayed consistent. The same on head-scratching decisions with the basketball.

Hezonja has enough sizzle to continue his NBA run. Maybe not at the same money mark, but at the end of another team’s bench. If not, a return to the EuroLeague.

Four difficult years leaves Hezonja not matching his fifth overall value, but with money made at two destinations, he’s found financial success domestically.

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