The New York Knicks are trying to strike it big as the NBA Draft Lottery approaches. According to reports, Knicks legend Patrick Ewing will represent the Knicks at the upcoming lottery.
The NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 14. The lottery is an annual event that determines the draft order of the 14 lottery teams. The lottery teams are the 14 teams with the worst regular season record. The draft lottery gives each lottery team a chance to draft a young, skilled prospect to help improve their roster. In some cases, the player becomes the franchise player—a player a team builds their roster around. The Knicks have a chance to find that player in this year’s draft.
Last year, the Knicks received the ninth pick of the 2018 draft, which they used to draft University of Kentucky forward Kevin Knox. The Knicks also drafted Frank Ntilikina in 2017 and Kristaps Porzingis in 2015.
The Knicks have been in the draft lottery since 2014. However, the Knicks did not draft a player in 2014 or 2016. Their picks went to Orlando Magic, who drafted Dario Saric, and the Denver Nuggets, who drafted Jamal Murray.
Prior to 2011, the Knicks also participated in the draft lottery from 2005 to 2010. Despite being in the draft lottery, the Knicks have only won the draft lottery once. They won in the 1985 draft, which was the first draft to hold the lottery. The Knicks won the lottery and drafted Patrick Ewing—the same person who will represent them in this year’s draft.
Ewing was the first pick of the 1985 draft and the first player drafted through the draft lottery (Image Courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images
In 1985, the Knicks drafted the big man from Georgetown. Ewing averaged 20 points and nine rebounds. He also won Rookie of the Year that season. Ewing went on to become a Knicks legend and played 15 seasons with them. His presence could give the Knicks a bit of luck as they strive for the first pick.
The Knicks have a chance to rebuild their roster. They traded Porzingis—a player they once considered their franchise player—and are searching for that next player.
This year’s draft features a group of skilled players that the Knicks can build around. Zion Williamson is considered the consensus first pick of this year’s draft. If the Knicks draft a player of Williamson’s caliber, the Knicks are headed in the right direction.
The Knicks have a 14 percent chance of winning the first pick. They have the same odds as the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns. So, each team has an equal chance of winning the first, but one team will get lucky. Regardless of the outcome, each team has a chance to improve their roster. They cannot go wrong either way.
The Knicks were lucky when they drafted Ewing in 1985. As the NBA Draft Lottery approaches, Ewing could bring the same luck this year. It all depends on the luck of the draw.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
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