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New York Knicks: Ranking Isiah Thomas’ NBA draft picks as president

By Rob Wolkenbrod

New York Knicks Team President Isiah Thomas speak to members of the media Thursday July 28, 2005 in Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Daniel J. Barry/Getty Images)
New York Knicks Team President Isiah Thomas speak to members of the media Thursday July 28, 2005 in Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Daniel J. Barry/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Channing Frye: Round 1, Pick 8 (2005)

2005 became the first season Isiah Thomas had a first-round pick to work with. The Stephon Marbury trade took the 2004 selection away to the Suns, so it left the No. 8 pick with the organization and the chance to build an intriguing group.

Channing Frye became a nice player. He won a championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and only retired after the 2018-19 season ended, but those two years with the New York Knicks were unremarkable.

In two seasons, Frye averaged just 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. It was not evident of a top-10 pick, especially in a high-pressure market.

So in 2007, Thomas sent Frye and Steve Francis to the Portland Trail Blazers for Zach Randolph, Fred Jones and Dan Dickau. While this destination did not become the Arizona product’s breakout moment, it took until joining the Suns in 2009 to embrace the stretch four role and take three-pointers.

The outside shot is what made Frye’s career. It made him valuable to the Suns, Magic and a title-winning player for a season, making the back-drop of his career as special as possible for an aging role player who fit remarkably well in the NBA with each calendar year.

The Knicks sent Frye away when they opted for veteran players, much like other points of Thomas’ career. It did not work out, even if Frye struggled, and contributed to setting this franchise back.

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