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Knicks: Most significant draft day trades since 2000

By Andrew Pistone

AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 26: Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons watches from the bench during the final minuet while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 26, 2009 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Cleveland won the game 99-78 to win the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 26: Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons watches from the bench during the final minuet while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 26, 2009 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Cleveland won the game 99-78 to win the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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SYDNEY- SEPTEMBER 23: Antonio McDyess of the USA looks on the court in the Mens Basketball game against New Zealand on September 23, 2000 during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Superdome in Sydeny, Australia. (Photo by: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

2002: Nene, Marcus Camby and Mark Jackson for Antonio McDyess, Frank Williams and a 2003 second round pick (Maciej Lampe)

So this one is going to open up some old wounds, as it kind of started the tailspin the Knicks are still hoping to recover from. But when you look at what New York gave up, in hindsight it wasn’t really that much to part with in hopes that former All-Star Antonio McDyess could get healthy and regain his old form.

Nene had a long and respected career as a starting/reserve big man in the league. In retrospect, having Nene’s rugged and consistent ability to protect the paint and provide a consistent presence would have been nice, but he also missed an entire season in 2005-2006 due to injury, and barely played in 2007-2008 due to injury and a testicular cancer diagnosis that season.

Mark Jackson, as beloved as a personality and a New Yorker as he is, was getting up there in age and wasn’t going to be able to contribute on the floor any longer. Marcus Camby, while talented and a shot blocking dynamo, had injury issues of his own, only playing 29 games for Denver the year they acquired him.

As we all know, things didn’t turn out that well for McDyess or the Knicks, as he only played in 18 games for the team before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in the deal that brought local legend Stephon Marbury back to New York City.

It’s really too bad but McDyess’ health couldn’t cooperate, but it’s important to point out that he was an absolute force for the Denver Nuggets for many years. From his age 24-26 seasons, he averaged 21 and 10, 19 and 8, and 20 and 12, respectively(points and rebounds). In his age 27 season, he only played 10 games due to injury, and that’s where Knicks fans had a problem giving up so much. But betting on a 28 year old with that kind of upside to recover from knee surgery wasn’t the worst gamble in the world.

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