New York Knicks: Five drafted players the Knicks failed to keep in NYC
By Alan Mena
Within the last several seasons, the New York Knicks have either traded away or failed to re-sign some players they should have given another chance.
The New York Knicks have failed to retain, develop, and select an NBA superstar since the 1984-1985 NBA season. Some will make an exception for Kristaps Porziņģis and say that he was an NBA superstar, but the 7-3 Latvian was still ways away from being one. Even in his third season, before his ACL tear, where he averaged his most points (22.7) during his short tenure in New York.
According to Forbes, the Knicks are the Nation Basketball Association’s most valuable team (and have been for the last four years) at $4B. To be honest, the most MVT (most valuable team) for the last four years in the massive NYC market has been nothing but a laughingstock of the NBA (among a couple of other teams) throughout this century.
James Dolan has been in my opinion (and countless others) the worst owner in the NBA for the past two decades. Under his ownership, the Knicks will likely never become a dynasty like the Golden State. The Warriors at least drafted the right players and now are seen as one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Keen ownership and excellent draft selections are a major reason as to why the GSW are the team they are today. Three out of five all-stars on their team are homegrown.
All the mistakes the New York Knicks organization can’t be covered here. Instead, here are five players who the team failed to retain and develop into integral parts of their team for the future.