10 Biggest offseason blunders in New York Knicks history
By Tyler Watts
7. Drafting Frank Ntilikina over Donovan Mitchell in 2017
Kristaps Porzingis was fresh off a breakout second season with the Knicks, but New York missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. With Derrick Rose set to depart in free agency and the Knicks looking to trade Carmelo Anthony, New York desperately needed a guard that could make plays and create shots. They had the eighth overall pick in a draft that featured five point guards that were projected to go in the top ten.
Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball were the top two selections over Jayson Tatum. The Kings took De’Aaron Fox fifth, which left the Knicks choosing between Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr., who ended up in New York by 2019, but neither was the correct choice. Donovan Mitchell was the superstar guard of this class, and he slipped to 13th on draft night.
After six seasons, Mitchell is a four-time All-Star who has helped his team reach the playoffs six times. Ntilikina never averaged more than 21.9 minutes per game in his four years with the Knicks, and New York let him walk in free agency in 2021, despite being able to restrict him.
To make matters worse, Mitchell is a New York kid, who would have been coming home to play for the Knicks. He has talked about his desire to play (subscription required) for the franchise, and they again had a chance to acquire him in 2022 but passed on the opportunity.