The Knicks completed their anticlimactic draft with six extra second-round picks and a European challenge.
Pacome Dadiet, a 6-foot-8 ahead from France who performed professionally in Germany final season, was their lone decide at No. 25.
He’s solely 18 years previous and is smart as a draft-and-stash decide, however acknowledged Wednesday his intention is to leap proper into the NBA.
“I’m planning on enjoying right here,” Dadiet stated.
If he performs abroad once more subsequent season, Dadiet isn’t added to the Knicks’ payroll — which might assist New York keep away from the restrictive tax aprons as their salaries explode subsequent season. However clearly Dadiet thinks he’s prepared to affix the Knicks after a constructive predraft exercise.
Group president Leon Rose didn’t speak to the media both earlier than or after the draft.
“The exercise went nicely,” Dadiet stated. “So I knew they had been . However till the final minute, I didn’t know the place I used to be going. I’m very excited to begin working. I can’t wait.”
The gang at Barclays Middle wasn’t impressed with the Dadiet alternative, responding with muted applause and some boos.
The final time the Knicks gambled on a younger Frenchman — Frank Ntilikina in 2017 — it didn’t finish nicely.
However there might be much less stress for Dadiet to carry out, particularly immediately.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has been reluctant to play rookies in his profession, and an 18-year-old is hard to image in a win-now rotation.
Dadiet’s upside is as a defensive wing with taking pictures potential.
He referred to as Kevin Durant his first inspiration within the NBA.
“I feel I’m actually versatile and may deliver what a rookie must deliver — power,” Dadiet stated. “Coming in and grabbing rebounds to push the ball and likewise knock down photographs. I feel it’s essential for a rookie to deliver these issues.”
The Knicks had been linked to extra ready-made prospects, most notably Virginia wing Ryan Dunn — who fell to the Nuggets at No. 28.
The Knicks entered the night time with picks No. 24 and No. 25.
They first traded again from No. 24 to No. 26 whereas choosing up a second-round decide (No. 51) from the Wizards.
Then they traded No. 26 to the OKC for 5 second-rounders between the years of 2025 and 2027, in response to stories.
For Thursday’s second spherical, which might be held in Manhattan, the Knicks now have picks No. 38 and 51.
The Knicks began with back-to-back picks as a result of certainly one of them — No. 24 — got here courtesy of Dallas as the ultimate fee of the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis commerce.
Utilizing their very own draft decide has been a rarity for the Knicks and that may proceed.
Within the pending Mikal Bridges deal, they gave up management of their first-rounders in 2025, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2031.
Discovering productive gamers late within the draft has been a energy of Leon Rose and assistant GM Walt Perrin throughout their four-year tenures.
They took Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes with the twenty fifth picks.
In addition they nabbed Miles McBride within the second spherical.
Their disappointing decisions had been Obi Toppin (eighth total) and Trevor Keels (forty second).
After buying and selling Quickley, Grimes and RJ Barrett final season, the Knicks had zero of their first-round picks on the playoff roster.
It was a small shock the Knicks didn’t goal a middle Wednesday.
That place is a bit in flux.
Their starter for many of final season, Isaiah Hartenstein, will quickly hit unrestricted free company and the Knicks will wrestle to retain him given their cap restraints.
Mitchell Robinson is the plain substitute however he’s coming off two surgical procedures to his ankle and by no means averaged greater than 27.5 minutes in a season.
The Knicks can attempt to deal with that with their two second-rounders Thursday.
Pacome Dadiet bio field
Place: Wing
Top/Weight: 6-8, 218
Final workforce: Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Age: 18
One of many youngest prospects and a complete challenge who says he’s not returning abroad as a draft-and-stash decide. Scouting stories point out his expert taking pictures with upside as a 3-and-D with good dimension.
However for a Knicks workforce in a win-now window, Dadiet most likely isn’t able to contribute as a rookie.
Grade: C