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

By Elaine Blum

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)
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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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) – New York Knicks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The 2018 NBA Draft has produced four All-Stars so far: Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Only Gilgeous-Alexander was still available when the Knicks got to pick ninth. Going with Kevin Knox instead, they passed on the future All-Star.

The Knicks saw the potential of a dynamic scorer with a good combination of size, handles, and versatility in Knox. He struggled defensively, though, and as the Knicks got better quickly due to breakout seasons from RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, Knox’s development sort of got lost in the process. Nevertheless, he played four seasons in New York and had a good rookie season. After that, his role shrank with every season, until he averaged only 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game in his fourth season.

That is not a lot of time for a young player to develop, but he also hasn’t lived up to expectations with other franchises. So, maybe it is not all about the Knicks’ failed development, and they simply made a wrong pick in the draft.

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander went 11th in the same draft and has sneakily played his way into All-Star territory. Averaging 31.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.0 block, and 1.7 steals as the Thunder’s number one option, Gilgeous-Alexander made his first All-Star appearance this season and has a solid case to be an All-NBA guard.

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