The Knicks finished their anticlimactic draft with six more second-round picks and a European project.
French 6-foot-8 forward Pacom Dadiet, who played professionally in Germany last season, was their sole choice at No. 25.
He’s only 18 years old and would make sense as a draft-and-stash pick, but on Wednesday he said he intends to jump straight to the NBA.
“I plan on playing here,” Dadiet said.
If he plays overseas again next season, Dadiante will not be added to the Knicks’ payroll – which could help New York avoid the restrictive tax apron as his salary increases next season. But Dadiate clearly feels he is ready to join the Knicks after a positive predraft workout.
Team president Leon Rose did not speak to the media before or after the draft.
“The workout was good,” Dadiet said. “So I knew they were interested. But until the last minute I didn’t know where I was going. I am very excited to start work. I can’t wait.”
The Barclays Center crowd was not impressed with Dadiet’s choice, responding with subdued applause and a few boos.
The last time the Knicks gambled on a young Frenchman – Frank Ntilikina – in 2017 – it didn’t end well.
But there will be less pressure on Deadite to perform, especially immediately.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has been reluctant to play rookie players throughout his career, and it’s hard to picture an 18-year-old player in a win-now rotation.
Dadiet’s advantage is as a defensive wing with shooting ability.
He cited Kevin Durant as his first inspiration in the NBA.
“I think I’m really versatile and can also bring what a rookie needs to bring – energy,” Dadiet said. “Coming in and grabbing rebounds to push the ball and knock down shots too. I think those things are very important for a beginner to bring.
The Knicks were linked to more drafted prospects, notably Virginia wing Ryan Dunn – who went with the No. 28 pick to the Nuggets.
The Knicks entered the night with picks No. 24 and No. 25.
They moved back from No. 24 to No. 26, acquiring a second-round pick (No. 51) from the Wizards.
According to the report, they then traded the No. 26 pick to OKC for five second-rounders between 2025 and 2027.
For Thursday’s second round, which will be held in Manhattan, the Knicks now have Nos. 38 and 51.
The Knicks started with back-to-back picks as one of them – No. 24 – came courtesy of Dallas as the final payment in the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis trade.
It is rare for the Knicks to use their own draft picks and that will continue.
In the pending Mikal Bridges deal, they gave up control of their first-rounders in 2025, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2031.
Finding productive players late in the draft has been a strength of Leon Rose and assistant GM Walt Perine during their four-year tenure.
They took Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes with the 25th pick.
He also defeated Miles McBride in the second round.
Their disappointing picks were Obi Toppin (eighth overall) and Trevor Keels (42nd).
After trading Quickley, Grimes and RJ Barrett last season, the Knicks had zero first-round picks on their playoff roster.
It was a small surprise the Knicks didn’t target any centers on Wednesday.
That situation is a bit variable.
Their starter for most of last season, Isaiah Hartenstein, will soon hit unrestricted free agency and the Knicks will struggle to retain him given their cap constraints.
Mitchell Robinson is the obvious replacement, but he is undergoing two surgical procedures on his ankle and has never averaged more than 27.5 minutes in a season.
The Knicks may try to address that with their two second-rounders on Thursday.
Pakome Dadiet Bio Box
Post: wing
height Weight: 6-8, 218
Final team: Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
age: 18
One of the youngest prospects and an overall project who says he is not returning overseas as a draft-and-stash pick. Scouting reports noted his efficient shooting at 3-and-D with good size.
But for a Knicks team in a win-now window, Dadiate probably isn’t ready to contribute as a rookie.
Category: C
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