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

2. Trevor Ariza: Round 2, Pick 43 (2004)

Isiah Thomas stepped into his role in the New York Knicks front office in 2003 and made his first pick in the following 2004 NBA Draft. He had just one selection, as the first-round pick already left via trade.

At No. 43, Thomas made UCLA’s Trevor Ariza the pick. He was not as heralded as others to play for this prestigious basketball school, but the on-court success has followed in the 15 years since.

Ariza only spent two years with the Knicks. He flashed some upside in limited time, but became a main piece in the deal that acquired Steve Francis from the Orlando Magic in 2006, ending a 116-game stint.

From there, Ariza found larger roles and parlayed it into a spot on the 2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers, who won the NBA Championship. It became the destination that pushed him into full-time starting roles in the 2010s, including with the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns.

The Rockets stint was perhaps Ariza’s best run, contributing to the 2017-18 team that barely missed an NBA Finals appearance. His “3-and-D” play as a 6-foot-8 wing was exceptional and the culmination of the work he put in years prior.

Ariza found most of his success outside the Knicks, and Thomas trading him so early may have been a blessing in disguise.