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

ByRob 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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Pistons Stanley Johnson (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
Pistons Stanley Johnson (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)

Slash Line: .372/.290/.762
Career Averages: 6.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.8 3PM

Stanley Johnson entered the NBA with two-way potential. His lone season at Arizona produced 37.1 percent three-point shooting and intrigue as a defender, and the latter followed him to the pros.

However, the offensive game has not arrived for Johnson. His three-plus years have never featured 40-plus percent shooting or double-digit points. Only one season has double-digit starts, which became Stan Van Gundy’s final season as head coach and team president.

By 2018-19, Johnson’s playing time dropped to 20.0 minutes per game with the Detroit Pistons on a career-low 28.2 percent shooting. He trended in the opposite direction, and it led to a midseason trade to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Johnson’s playing time only dipped upon arrival to the Pelicans. With just 11.9 minutes per game in 14 appearances, opportunities to thrive have been limited. Obviously, it does not help his case as a soon-to-be restricted free agent, pending New Orleans makes a qualifying offer. It’s somewhat early to call him a “bust” at 22-years-old, but he’s all but at that point.

Among forwards, the New York Knicks selecting Porzingis over someone like Johnson, despite the different roles, worked out well. How different would it be with the picks reversed?

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