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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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Apr 10, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Former New York Knicks player Nate Robinson looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

2005: Kurt Thomas, right to Dijon Thompson for Quentin Richardson, rights to Nate Robinson

At the time, the headline acquisition of this deal was acquiring Quentin Richardson from the high-powered Phoenix Suns offense of the mid 2000’s. Playing in a futuristic version of what the NBA would eventually become that year, Richardson jacked up eight threes a game for Phoenix, while Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash would set him up time and time again for those open looks.

After obtaining Q-Rich in that draft day trade in 2005, he would go on to play in New York for four seasons, not once eclipsing the 15 points per game he averaged that one year with the Suns.

As it turned out, the real story was acquiring a 5’9” sparkplug of a human being in Washington Huskies guard Nate Robinson. He brought swagger, athleticism, and a level of toughness that few would ever have expected from someone his size. In fact, had he made a couple of decisions differently while still in school, NBA fans quite possibly could have been robbed off one of the most fascinating careers in league history.

"“For my three years at UW, I had a booster offer me $100,000 per year to come back and play football because they needed Nate Robinson back on the football field because we weren’t winning any games,” the former Knicks guard said via 247sports.com."

Robinson decided that his true passion was to compete on the hardwood, and Knicks fans are truly blessed that he stayed the course. The team may not have won any NBA titles since the 1970’s, but Robinson brought championships of a different kind back to the Garden—in the form of three NBA slam dunk contest trophies.

Next. NBA Mock: Who do the Knicks pick?. dark

Perhaps Robinson’s most iconic play with the Knicks was flying through the air to block 7’6” Houston Rockets center Yao Ming’s shot attempt, which epitomized the reckless abandon Nate brought to each and every game.

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