6 All-Stars the Knicks painfully passed on in the NBA Draft

By Elaine Blum | Apr 7, 2023

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up court during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 118-109. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

5. DeMar DeRozan

In the 2009 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks had the 8th pick. That draft produced six All-Stars and three of them – DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, and Jeff Teague – were still available by the time the Knicks got to make their pick. They chose Jordan Hill. Hill only lasted 24 games in New York because he produced very little for a top-10 pick. DeMar DeRozan was drafted right after Hill by the Toronto Raptors.

While Hill played his last full season in 2015-16 and never looked like the top pick he was, DeRozan has been an All-Star six times so far and made two All-NBA Teams. He is in year fourteen now and still going strong, putting up around 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

It is fair to say that Toronto got lucky that the Knicks passed on DeRozan, who played nine good seasons with the Raptors. Hill showed some raw talent coming into the draft, and the Knicks apparently wanted a frontcourt piece to pair with David Lee rather than a shooting guard. Nevertheless, the Knicks passed on a legit All-Star who could have contributed more and probably would have lasted longer than just 24 games.

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