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

2. Patrick Ewing (1985 NBA Draft, Pick 1): 1,183 games played

Patrick Ewing‘s name will always associate with the New York Knicks, and for good reason as the franchise’s greatest player ever. He was not only this, but stuck with them for 15 seasons, from 1985-00.

The Knicks won the first-ever draft lottery in 1985 for the chance to select Ewing from Georgetown. Upon arrival, he reshaped the franchise and turned them into a contender by the 1990s, including two NBA Finals appearances within five years, something New York has not approached since.

Ewing became a perennial 20-point, 10-rebound player, with All-Star appearances in each season from 1985-97, except for the 1986-87 campaign, when he played just 63 games as a second-year man.

By the time Ewing’s Knicks career wrapped, he played 1,039 games for them. That is more than the aforementioned players, but he did not stay in New York City for those final two years. Instead, the organization traded him to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team trade in 2000.

Ewing played and started in 79 games in 2000-01. He bounced to the Orlando Magic for 65 games afterward to finish a hall of fame legacy. It was surreal, though, to see him in different uniforms at such a late stage, similar to Hakeem Olajuwon‘s brief stay with the Toronto Raptors.

Ewing will always be known as a Knick. His work with them led to accolades and one of the best eras of New York basketball, but of all this franchise’s draft picks, he did not accumulate the most games played.