The New York Knicks got lucky in the first NBA draft lottery, landing the ultimate prize of Patrick Ewing, who became an 11-time All-Star.
Since then, however, the franchise hasn’t had as much luck. As noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter (who took a break from his football coverage for this little jab), New York has gone seventeen consecutive lotteries without even once improving its draft position.
Schefter added that New York has fallen back in their projected pick ten times, so if they change their fate tonight, it would be a historic change of pace.
NBA Draft lottery is at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Since landing Patrick Ewing, the Knicks now have gone 17 straight lotteries without improving their draft position; seven times they fell back and 10 times they wound up where they were projected. Tonight expected to make it 18 straight.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 17, 2022
The Knicks have just a 9.4% chance of landing a top 5 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, but stranger things have happened. There is a 2.0% chance, meanwhile, New York ends up with the top overall selection.
William Wesley, also known as World Wide Wes, will represent the Knicks on stage during the lottery. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Drake and Jay Z have both name-dropped the New York basketball executive.
We currently have the Knicks selecting Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin in our latest mock draft. But if they improve their position, they could end up with an even more exciting player — or potential trade chip.
