It is a big night for Knicks team president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry as they make their first NBA Draft picks. Each pick from here on out will be crucial in the development of this young Knicks squad, and looking at New York's past selection, Mills and Perry better hope their choice works out.
Let's take a look at the Knicks' past first-rounder and how they panned out at Madison Square Garden (it is worth noting the Knicks didn't have a first-round pick in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016)...
2009, No. 8 overall: Arizona PF Jordan Hill
The 6-foot-10 forward left the Wildcats program after averaging 18.3 points and 11 rebounds per game in his junior season. He was considered by some to be a Top 5 choice, but he fell to the Knicks at eighth overall following the selection of Stephen Curry by the Warriors.
Hill's time with the Knicks didn't even last a full season, though. He was traded to the Rockets in the middle of the season on the Feb. 18 tradeline for All-Star Tracy McGrady. Hill spent three seasons in Houston before moving further west to the Lakers in 2011. He last played with the Timberwolves during the 2016-17 season.
2011, No. 17: Georgia Tech SG Iman Shumpert
Shumpert led the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 17.3 points per game in his junior season. And after showcasing stellar on-ball defense, the Knicks went with him at 17th overall.
Shumpert spent parts of four seasons with the Knicks from 2011 to 2015, where he averaged 7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 26.2 minutes per game. In 2015, he and J.R. Smith were a part of a three-team trade that sent him to the Cavaliers. Shumpert would go on to win an NBA championship in 2016.
The 27-year-old now plays for the Kings, as the Cavaliers traded him to Sacramento midway through the 2017-18 season.
2013, No. 24: Michigan SG Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway Jr. was a standout as a Wolverine, and the Knicks hoped his scoring abilities would translate to the NBA. He would put together decent numbers in his first two seasons, but the Knicks wanted Jerian Grant who the Hawks drafted in the 2015 NBA Draft. Hardaway was the casualty in that deal.
Hardaway's first season in Atlanta wasn't the best, as he struggled to get playing time. He was even sent down to the G-League to work on his defensive abilities. The move proved worth it for the Hawks, who saw a different Hardaway in the 2016-17 season. He averaged 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over 27.3 minutes per game.
The Knicks liked what they saw and picked up Hardaway before the start of last season. He has become one of the key veterans on the squad despite only being 25 years old.
2015, No. 4: Latvian PF Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis' draft night would go down in infamy as Knicks fans booed him walking across the stage. He proved fans wrong, though, as he quickly became not only a fan favorite, but the face of the franchise.
"The Unicorn" averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks over his rookie season. Last season, Porzingis was having his best season so far with 22.7 points per game and a league-leading 2.4 blocks. However, a torn ACL cut his season short.
Though he may not be on the floor next season, Porzingis is still considered the player the Knicks should build around if they want success down the road.
2017, No. 9: France PG Frank Ntilikina
Phil Jackson's last draft pick as Knicks president saw him reach overseas again for the 19-year-old French point guard. Ntilikina was considered a project coming out of France, as he had a 6-foot-6 frame that needed to fill out as well as better scoring abilities.
What he did possess was a strong defensive mindset that was showcased last season. He only averaged 5.9 points and 3.2 assists, though, as his offensive game certainly needs some fine tuning. Ntilikina has noted he is working hard this offseason to improve his physical stature and get more involved on offense. It is too early to tell if this pick was well worth it for the Knicks.