The Knicks did not hear their name called when they wanted to Tuesday.
New York, along with the Cavaliers and Suns, had the top odds, 14%, to earn the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The team, however, ended up with the third pick, behind the Grizzlies and Pelicans.
The 2019 #NBADraftLottery order is set. pic.twitter.com/PEbqipMVFL
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2019
The Knicks will all but certainly miss out on the chance to select Duke star Zion Williamson, who is widely project to be taken by New Orleans. New York president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry addressed the results in a statement shortly after the lottery.
“We are excited to have the third pick and are confident we will be able to add a great player to our talented young core and the team that we are building,” the statement read, via SNY.
Williamson was hoping to end up playing for the Knicks, according to a report from ESPN, which cites an unidentified league source.
Zion Williamson was QUICKLY whisked out of the room after Pelicans were announced the winner of the draft lottery. Source said the former Duke star was rooting to go to New York, but now is going to New Orleans.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) May 15, 2019
Williamson developed into a star at Duke during his freshman season and is considered one of the best prospects to enter the draft this decade. He averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 68% from the field for the Blue Devils.
The Knicks — who have been linked to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency — recently finished one of their worst seasons in franchise history, tallying a 17-65 record. They last made the playoffs in 2012-13.
New York will likely end up selecting either Murray State guard Ja Morant or Williamson’s Duke teammate, RJ Barrett, with the No. 3 pick.