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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Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

4. Jrue Holiday

In the very same 2009 draft, the Knicks also passed on drafting Jrue Holiday by going with Jordan Hill instead. They may not have wanted a shooting guard like DeRozan, but they could have used another point guard to help Chris Duhon run the show. Other than Stephen Curry, Holiday ended up being the best point guard to come out of that draft.

He has since made two All-Star teams, two All-Defensive First Teams, and two All-Defensive Second Teams. In 2021, Holiday also won a championship as one of the key pieces of the Milwaukee Bucks. While still being a lockdown defender at age 32, he is also averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.2 steals on the same team that is competing for another ring.

Considering that Holiday ended up becoming one of the top two-way point guards in the game and the Knicks could have used that, passing on him in the draft must be rather painful now, especially in regard to the type of player they chose over him.

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