New York Knicks: Ranking every NBA Draft Lottery pick

5. Kenny Walker (1986)

Yes, that same Kenny “Sky” Walker who once competed in the All-Star weekend’s Slam Dunk contest. He won the 1989 competition with incredible dunks that, at the time, were not seen by anyone.

Sometimes, dunk contests put players on the map and push their careers forward. Walker received lifelong highlights and owns a piece of history, but that’s where it stops.

The Knicks selected Walker fifth overall in the 1986 NBA Draft, the second year the Association had the lottery in place. This class did not produce a laundry list of All-Stars at first, and it is also known for the tragic death of Len Bias. The positive takeaways, however, were Brad Daugherty at first overall, Ron Harper‘s championship-caliber career, Dell Curry‘s long run, Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek and the enigmatic Dennis Rodman.

Walker fell into a mostly disappointing top 10. His Knicks career flashed promise early, with consecutive double-digit point seasons in 1986-87 and 1987-88, but by 1988-89, he was no longer started and drifted into a role player spot.

By 1991, after five seasons in Manhattan, Walker was out of the league, but he returned for a 97-game stint with the Washington Wizards in 1993-95.

Walker has the dunk contest to his name, but it stops there. Potential flashed early from the 6-foot-8 forward, he just fell back due to more talented players joining this team.