With the 8th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks drafted Obi Toppin out of the University of Dayton. Just a few spots down, at 12th, the Sacramento Kings landed on the steal of the draft when they picked Tyrese Haliburton. Nobody could have predicted how good Tyrese would become, but former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony knew he was special and recently admitted that he tried to get the Knicks to pick him up.
“Haliburton would be somebody I always like,” said Melo. “I was trying to get him with the Knicks years ago, like ‘yo draft him!’ I wasn’t even on the Knicks but I was like ‘y’all better draft him.’ He’s really good man.”
"I was trying to get him to the Knicks years ago"
Melo & Mero always had the vision with Tyrese Haliburton 👀 pic.twitter.com/59SSaq17HT
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) December 7, 2023
Carmelo did not elaborate on how hard his pitch was for Halliburton, but it clearly wasn’t enough to sway the Knicks’ front office. They picked up Obi instead, and somehow let Haliburton fall out of the top 10. Fast forward to today, and while the Knicks are a solid playoff team, they lack a true superstar that can take them over the top. Haliburton, who is having a career year for the Pacers this season, could have been the centerpiece for the Knicks but it just wasn’t in the cards.
Hali’s Unlikely Rise
Going into the draft, there were some major questions about Haliburton. Due to an awkward-looking jump shot, critics were skeptical that Tyrese would be able to hold up as a shooter in the NBA. There were also some huge concerns about his potential on defense, an area that he has never been known for. These issues are probably what led to the star point guard falling behind in the draft, but he has proven to be a star after just three and a half seasons in.
This year, a season after the Pacers put the world on notice, Haliburton is having his best stretch yet with averages of 26.9 points, a league-high 11.9 assists, and 1.1 steals through the first 17 games. And while the Pacers are not a title contender in the East, they are surely a rising threat due to Tyrese alone, who is making life simple and easy for his young teammates.
The Knicks Need A Superstar
After decades of mediocrity, the New York Knicks are very much on the come-up, and strong play from Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett has made them a top-five team in the East. But after losing to the Heat in the Eastern Semi-Finals a few months ago, it’s become clear that the team needs more to have a deep playoff run. Sadly, the Knicks lost their chance to draft Haliburton, and they also missed an opportunity to trade for stars such as Damian Lillard and James Harden this past summer.
This season, only time tell how the Knicks can finish but their ceiling is only so high without a top 10 player on the roster. To truly set a new standard as a team, GM Scott Perry may have to take some big risks for the sake of maximizing the roster. But until a star becomes available, or one of their current players becomes one, the Knicks will always be a step behind the championship contenders. If only they had listened to Carmelo Anthony and picked up a star when they had the chance…
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