NCAA head coach Rick Pitino knew something fans didn't back in 2017
The New York Knicks haven’t been the most intelligent franchise when it comes to the NBA Draft. Years of so-called “busts” combined with repetitive letdowns have left fans hopeless, asking themselves who could potentially save the city of New York from basketball poverty.
During the 2017 draft, in dire need of a point guard who could run the offense, New York selected Frank Ntilikina with the eighth overall pick. A crafty guard from France with a versatile wingspan and much-needed defense, the Knicks hoped Ntilikina could bring them some stability.
Unfortunately, that never came to fruition. Ntilikina was immediately brought off the bench and never truly reached the expectations set for him. He never averaged more than 6.3 points in his four-year career with New York, turning what was once a hopeful young star into a disappointing chapter.
A Star That Once Was
On the Roommates Podcast, hosted by teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, special guest Rick Pitino revealed he knew the Knicks were fond of Ntilikina — but were even more determined not to take six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
“I called the Knicks. They had the 7th pick. I said, ‘Take my guy Donovan Mitchell. He’s gonna kill it.’ They said, ‘Nah, we can’t take him that high.’ They wound up taking Frank Nicoletti.”
Pitino, who coached Mitchell during his tenure at Louisville, watched him average 15.6 points and a conference-leading 2.1 steals on 40.8% shooting, cementing himself as a top prospect. Mitchell would’ve fit well in the Knicks’ offense at the time, especially as the team transitioned out of the Carmelo Anthony era and desperately needed a new scorer.
Instead, Mitchell fell to the 13th pick, where the Utah Jazz selected him. He went on to thrive immediately, leading the Jazz to the playoffs in his rookie season, including a second-round appearance.
Rags to Riches
As it stands, the Knicks can’t go back and rewrite history. Failing to support their roster with proper offensive talent, they spent years chasing young prospects who never fully developed. Ntilikina was just the first domino, followed by Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and now Pacome Dadiet — all experiments that never quite panned out.
Needless to say, the Knicks have gone from a team dependent on the draft to one that no longer needs draft capital. Having gone from chasing the last spot in the standings to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, the Knicks are proving time and again how you can turn rags into riches.