New York Knicks: Ranking Isiah Thomas’ NBA draft picks as president
Isiah Thomas’ run as president of basketball operations of the New York Knicks resulted in a handful of hits and misses in the NBA Draft.
Executives have passed through the New York Knicks over the past two decades, maybe no more scrutinized — exceeding Phil Jackson — than Isiah Thomas. His run, spanning 2003-08, featured head-scratching moves to improve the roster and subsequent pressure to deliver results.
Few positives arrived from the Thomas era, but there was also the NBA Draft. He had four opportunities to improve the roster from collegiate and international players, and while some picks did not pan out, others had success.
It does not add to the Knicks never making the playoffs under him, and most of his draft picks did not have long careers in New York.
Eight picks were made in Thomas’ stint, including a significant 2005 trade on draft day that is relevant enough to factor into this history:
8. Dijon Thompson: Round 2, Pick 54 (2005)
Dijon Thompson‘s NBA career was short, playing just 16 games. He never appeared for the Knicks, as well, moving to the Phoenix Suns on draft night in the same deal that sent away Kurt Thomas and acquired Nate Robinson.
7. Mardy Collins: Round 1, Pick 29 (2006)
A year of multiple first-round picks did not work out well for the New York Knicks. One of their choices was a point guard Mardy Collins, who failed to shoot well from the field. There was minimal impact across the board otherwise, including just 1.7 assists per game.
Collins also played parts of two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, and he shot 43.3 percent in his first 39 games, only to struggle returning as a backup. This arose when Isiah Thomas traded him with Zach Randolph for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
6. Renaldo Balkman: Round 1, Pick 20 (2006)
The earlier pick of that draft, Renaldo Balkman was never more than a role player at forward off the bench. He averaged over 15 minutes per game just once and even had two stints with the Knicks, returning in the Carmelo Anthony trade.
Balkman still managed to play in six seasons, which is a success, though he was traded twice by the organization that drafted him, with the first time happening after Thomas was fired.