New York Knicks: NBA Draft picks to have the longest careers

4. Johnny Green (1959 NBA Draft, Pick 5): 1,057 games played

Johnny Green falls fourth with 1,057 games played in his career. He dates back to the 1950s, however, when the game of basketball was different compared to how it worked in the ’60s, ’70, ’80s, ’90s and especially the past two seasons.

The New York Knicks chose Green fifth overall in the 1959 NBA Draft — the same year as Wilt Chamberlain and Dick Barnett. The latter two alone made this a star group, and Green was part of the depth that lined up behind them.

Green did not start his NBA career until age 26. Unusual now, but military commitments forced his college career to begin later. That many years old would potentially take a player out of the modern-day draft altogether, as 22-year-old seniors even fall to this.

Green debuted in the 1959-60 season, finishing with 7.0 points and 7.8 rebounds with the Knicks. After that, he rose for four straight years of double-double averages, including 18.1 points and 12.1 rebounds in the 1962-63 season.

There was eventually a stat drop-off by 1964-65, and the Knicks sent Green to Baltimore in the middle of 1965-66, which also featured Walt Bellamy.

Green spent 472 games in New York, but still had over half his career ahead. He finished playing in the 1972-73 season with the Cincinnati/Kansas City organization and wrapped up a solid 14-year run.