Knicks draft: Redrafting first-round picks from 2017-21
2019-20 (21-45)
Drafted: RJ Barrett (3)
Available: Darius Garland (5), Coby White (7), Rui Hachimura (9), Tyler Herro (13), Jordan Poole (28), Keldon Johnson (29).
The Knicks finished above the Cavaliers so they received the fifth pick of the draft, missing out on Barrett. I don’t think they would’ve selected another undersized guard with their pick. With the ninth pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, New York selects…Tyler Herro from the University of Kentucky.
Starting line-up:
PG: Shai-Gilgeous Alexander
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Bench: Tyler Herro, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson
The Knicks still sign Marcus Morris, Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, and Taj Gibson. David Fizdale still gets fired and Morris still gets traded.
Mike Miller gets a better sense of the group and finishes out the season, barely making the playoffs with a record of 34-47. Mitchell makes his first All-Star appearance.
2020-21 (41-31)
Drafted: Obi Toppin (8)
Available: Tyrese Haliburton (12), Cole Anthony (15), Tyrese Maxey (21).
New York makes the playoffs ahead of the Orlando Magic so the team would’ve gotten the 15th or the 16th pick. With the 16th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, the Knicks select…Tyrese Maxey from the University of Kentucky. Now, there are three Kentucky guards on this squad.
Drafted: Immanuel Quickley (25)
Available: Desmond Bane (30)
Because another small guard was selected, New York opts for size in the perimeter. With the 25th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, the Knicks select…Desmond Bane from Texas Christian University
Starting line-up:
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Tyler Herro
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Bench: Tyrese Maxey, Desmond Bane, Reggie Bullock, Nerlens Noel
Tom Thibodeau’s in charge, but the team doesn’t trade for Derrick Rose or sign Alec Burks. Herro and Bane go back and forth for the starting small forward position. Mitchell and Randle are both All-Stars.
This team goes 47-25 in the shortened season finishing third in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks lose to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton held their own with their perimeter defense and no one was able to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo from scoring.
Now, imagine a team where you have two starting caliber point guards in Gilgeous-Alexander and Maxey. On top of that, there’s the offensive talents of Mitchell and Herro.
I’m not sure if New York sticks around with all of the talent at the guard position, but this roster would still be under the cap going into the 2021-22 season. This is a team that could definitely be a contender for years. And now back to reality…
Looking back, some of these missed picks are egregious but hindsight is always 20/20. Leon Rose traded down in the 2021 draft twice and took Quentin Grimes, which seems to be a great move so far. Hopefully, this will reflect on the future draft picks of this franchise.
