NBA Draft: Ranking the best players selected 6th overall since 1995

A look at the six best sixth overall picks in the NBA draft.

As the NBA considers a variety of return-to-play proposals, the New York Knicks could find their 2019-20 season is already over, a prospect that is probably most appealing to the front office as they prepare to hire a new coach and secure their lottery pick.

Based on where the standings ended when the league shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Knicks have the sixth best lottery odds to land the first overall pick. That gives them a 9% chance at #1, but also a 37.2% chance of landing in the top 4. The Knicks are reportedly targeting a lead guard in the draft, with LaMelo Ball atop their draft board. It’s unlikely Ball would fall outside of the first several picks, so it would be beneficial for New York to gain some lottery luck.

But before we start counting ping pong balls, what if the Knicks simply land where they are slotted in the lottery with the sixth pick? Ironically, the way the odds work, New York has a better chance of winning the lottery (9%) versus standing pat at six (8.6%), but anything is possible once lottery night comes.

While Knicks fans would be disappointed if the team ended up with the sixth pick, let’s take a look at the best players drafted sixth overall over the past 25 years. There are plenty of reasons to be hopeful the Knicks could find a legitimate young player with the sixth pick.