The New York Knicks lifted the NBA Championship in 2026 for the first time since 1973.
The Knicks‘ title triumph came from a roster constructed through free agency and trades, rather than the NBA Draft.
In fact the Knicks used their draft capital to create their title-winning squad – to the point they have only picked five times in the first round since 2018.
Due to trades, the Knicks did not pick in the first round in 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2025, and you would not meet a fan who would reverse that decision now it paid off.
We decided to take a look back at the last five picks the Knicks did make…
Pacôme Dadiet (2024) — Pick No. 25 (from Ratiopharm Ulm, Germany)
Pacôme Dadiet was drafted as a project by the Knicks and he has struggled for regular playing time, which is understandable considering the strength of their rotation.
Dadiet has played in 47 games over two seasons, averaging only 5.3 minutes. It is going to be an uphill fight for the Frenchman to force his way into the Knicks plans, as they look to retain their title.
While he led the Knicks in scoring at Summer League with 15.3 ppg, his performances still may not prevent the team from trading him away.
Obi Toppin (2020) — Pick No. 8 (from Dayton)
Obi Toppin came back to haunt the New York Knicks during the 2024 and 2025 Playoffs. Toppin was part of the Indiana Pacers team than eliminated the Knicks, playing a key role under Rick Carlisle.
The Knicks had decided to trade Toppin away in 2023 for two second round picks, after an underwhelming three seasons in New York.
He has shown considerable improvement in Indiana, but his 2025/26 season was wrecked due to an injury and a generally lost year for the Pacers.
RJ Barrett (2019) — Pick No. 3 (from Duke)
RJ Barrett played a key role in the New York Knicks’ title win – because he was traded away for OG Anunoby.
The Knicks traded Barrett and Immanuel Quickley and 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors, a trade that was a key catalyst to construct this title-winning team.
Barrett started 57 games for the Raptors last season but averaged 19.3 ppg, slightly fewer than the 19.6 he averaged in his final full season in New York.
Kevin Knox II (2018) — Pick No. 9 (from Kentucky)
One of the Knicks’ big draft disappointments, Kevin Knox II played 75 games in his first season, and then it was all downhill from there.
Knox was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2021, and he has bounced around the NBA ever since, with spells on the Pistons, Trail Blazers and Warriors.
Last season he had a brief stint with the Bulls G-League squad.
Frank Ntilikina (2017) — Pick No. 8 (from Strasbourg IG, France)
The poster-boy for bad draft picks, Frank Ntilikina has not been in the NBA since 2023.
Ntilikina’s poor spell in New York represented an era of poor decisions from the franchise, with a team that simply was not ready to compete. After being cut, he signed with the Mavericks and then had a brief spell with the Hornets.
The Frenchman returned to Europe and has most recently been playing for Greek team Olympiacos, where he became EuroLeague champion in 2026 – a happy ending just like the Knicks finally enjoyed.
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