The Knicks enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent memory in 2023-24, but they still came up short of their goal of winning the NBA Finals.
The Knicks were hampered by injuries during the 2024 postseason. Numerous contributors like Julius Randle, O.G. Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson missed significant time, forcing New York's role players into starting spots and hurting the team's overall depth.
The result? New York couldn't get past Indiana in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Still, the Knicks took the Pacers to seven games, and fans have to feel positive about the team's direction under Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks are facing an important offseason in 2024, as several key players like Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa are set to be free agents. It isn't clear whether New York is going to go all-in to keep them, especially after acquiring Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade with the Nets.
The good news is the Knicks should be better with Bridges in tow, and they have a few selections with which to upgrade their roster during the 2024 NBA Draft.
Here's a look at New York's draft resources and how it could use them in 2024.
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Knicks draft picks 2024: When does New York pick?
The Knicks own three picks in the 2024 NBA Draft:
- Round 1, No. 25
- Round 2, No. 34
- Round 2, No. 56
- Round 2, No. 58
New York entered the draft with picks No. 24 and No. 25, acquiring the 24th overall selection from the Mavericks as part of the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis trade. Their second-round selection at No. 38 was acquired from the Jazz as part of the Ed Davis trade in 2020.
New York surrendered its own second-round pick — No. 53 overall — to Charlotte as part of a 2022 trade that allowed the Knicks to move up in the draft and select Jalen Duren. The Knicks then traded Duren along with Kemba Walker to the Pistons to acquire a first-round pick in 2025.
The Knicks kept busy in the trade market, moving both first and second rounders in the 2024 NBA Draft. They've acquired future draft capital after dealing away five first-round picks and a pick swap for Bridges.
The Knicks have frequently been active in the trade market on draft night in recent seasons. The last time they stayed put in the first round, took a player and kept him on the team was when they chose Obi Toppin No. 8 overall in 2020.
MORE: Latest news, rumors, updates about 2024 NBA Draft
Knicks 2024 NBA Draft order
| Round | Pick | Selection |
| 1 | 25 | Pacome Dadiet |
| 2 | 34 | Tyler Kolek |
| 2 | 56 | Kevin McCullar Jr. |
| 2 | 58 | Ariel Hukporti |
Knicks pick No. 25: Pacome Dadiet, wing
The French have become a conveyor belt of enticing NBA talent in recent years. Dadiet is the latest to earn such distinction, earning acclaim while a member of Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga.
Dadiet showcased fairly impressive shot-making skills in limited minutes during the 2023-24 season and is one of the youngest prospects in this year's draft class. With decent length, glimpses of shot creation skill and a proclivity for sinking shots off the bounce, Dadiet represents pure upside for New York.
Dadiet could offer even more value by not playing for New York in 2024-25, either; if the Knicks do opt to draft-and-stash him as widely believed, they can save themselves approximately $3 million in salary, per Cap Sheet's Yossi Gozlan (via SNY's Ian Begley).
That could be mighty helpful for a side sitting up and against it when it comes to cap space.
Knicks pick No. 34: Tyler Kolek, guard
The Knicks traded up to No. 34 to select Tyler Kolek out of Marquette. The guard led Division I in assists last year with 7.7 per game.
New York handed over multiple future second rounders to acquire No. 34.
Kolek proves as a tough guard that'll serve as a reserve in Thibodeau's rotation. This pick began a flurry of trades that the Knicks made, moving from No. 38 to No. 40 and now sit at No. 51 and No. 56.
Knicks pick No. 56: Kevin McCullar Jr., forward
The Knicks hold onto the No. 56 pick after moving back multiple times in the second round. They select Kansas forward Kevin McCullar Jr. with the late second round pick.
McCullar averaged 18.3 points per game in his fifth collegiate season. He plays solid defense, which bodes well in Thibodeau's system. He joins the Knicks' rotation as a 23-year-old.
Knicks pick No. 58: Ariel Hukporti, center
New York gets one last pick with Ariel Hukporti at No. 58. The Knicks acquired the pick from the Mavericks to end the 2024 NBA Draft. Hukporti is a 7-footer that played in Australia this past year.
Knicks draft needs
- Center: Hartenstein enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2023-24, averaging 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in 75 contests (49 starts). He's set to be a free agent, so the Knicks will need to replace him if they don't bring him back. Even if they do, New York could use more center depth as it will reportedly explore trading the oft-injured Mitchell Robinson.
- Bench scoring: The Knicks had to rely almost exclusively on their starters during the 2024 NBA Playoffs because of injuries, but even before that, their bench scoring was lacking. While midseason acquisition Bojan Bogdanovic helped by averaging 10.4 points per game, his averages were still below that of Immanuel Quickley (15.0 points per game). And Bogdanovic was traded to the Nets in the Bridges deal, so his presence will be missed. Meanwhile, Alec Burks and Evan Fournier fell out of the rotation, so adding a microwave scorer and 3-point shooter to bolster New York's offense would be a nice way to complement Thibodeau's excellent defense.
- Backup point guard: Miles McBride has played well for the Knicks, but he may be better suited as a 3-and-D off-guard (a la Avery Bradley) than a true point guard. Adding another ball-handler would only further help New York's bench and allow Jalen Brunson more of an opportunity to rest.
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NBA Mock Draft 2024
Below is a look at the three players Sporting News' Kyle Irving projects the Knicks to select in his latest mock draft:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Team |
| 1 | 24 | Terrence Shannon Jr. | Guard | Illinois |
| 1 | 25 | Ryan Dunn | Forward | Virginia |
| 2 | 38 | Bobi Klintman | Forward | Cairns Taipans (Australia) |
Shannon (6-6, 219 pounds) starred during his senior year at Illinois. He ranked third in the country in points per game (23.0) and helped lead the Fighting Illini to the Elite Eight during his senior season. He could provide the Knicks with a nice scoring punch off the bench while also serving as a solid defender.
Irving describes Dunn (6-7, 214 pounds) as having "a case as the best perimeter defender in this draft class." Thibodeau's system is based on defensive performance, so he may believe he can turn the light-shooting Dunn into a quality player if the 21-year-old is given time to develop his shot.
Klintman played professionally in Australia's NBL last season. The big man played college basketball for a season at Wake Forest before going overseas. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and could help replace free agent Precious Achiuwa as an old-school power forward. Klintman would help the team's frontcourt depth and give them another option at forward or center thanks to his 6-9 frame and 7-0 wingspan.
