Exciting NBA Draft Developments and Trades in Brooklyn
New York has seen some of its greatest basketball legends emerge from second-round draft picks. Figures like Jalen Brunson, who recently carried the Larry O’Brien Trophy through Manhattan during a celebratory parade, and Willis Reed, renowned for his courageous performance in the 1970 NBA Finals, stand out.
On Wednesday night, the NBA draft continued in Brooklyn. With the New York Knicks seated at the No. 31 pick, hopes were high for unearthing a future key player. They selected Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton. However, by the time Mark Tatum, NBA deputy commissioner, announced the pick, Thornton’s rights had already been traded to Houston. When asked, Thornton expressed contentment, even with the unexpected move to Texas. “Somebody said I got the wrong hat. I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’” Thornton recalled learning about his trade to Houston with optimism, citing the state tax benefits.
The draft began with Washington choosing AJ Dybantsa and wrapped up in the late hours of Tuesday. Trades dominated as teams maneuvered for various strategic benefits. The Knicks themselves traded back from No. 24, ultimately stepping out of the first round entirely. This process led to the draft splitting across two nights to allow teams more time for assessment. Such shifts created interesting scenarios for players like Duke’s Isaiah Evans. Present at the green room on Tuesday but not selected, Evans was later picked as No. 33 by Minnesota after a trade with Brooklyn.
Meleek Thomas, who played under John Calipari at Arkansas, shared insights on patience and perseverance in such instances. “The most important lesson I learned from Coach Cal this year was: Your time is coming. Don’t worry about when. Don’t worry about how,” said Thomas, who Cleveland acquired from Sacramento.
Historically, Willis Reed exemplified the potential of a second-round pick, being chosen as No. 8 in the 1964 draft’s second round, and later leading the Knicks to titles in 1970 and 1973. Similarly, Brunson’s journey stands as an inspiration, as he transformed from a No. 33 pick in the 2018 draft by the Dallas Mavericks into a pivotal player for the Knicks since his 2022 free-agent signing. Sharing this path, German guard Jack Kayil, acquired by the Knicks with the No. 39 pick, looked up to Brunson. “We are kind of in the same position of the draft,” Kayil noted, expressing a desire to learn from Brunson’s career path.
The Knicks also secured Tyler Nickel’s rights, chosen as the No. 47 pick from Vanderbilt. Several other notable names joined the second round league roster. Among them, Richie Saunders from BYU, selected by Memphis at No. 32, and Purdue’s Braden Smith, acquired by Indiana at No. 38. Oklahoma City took Kentucky’s Otega Oweh with pick No. 41, while Sacramento selected Emanuel Sharp from Houston at No. 45.