New York Knicks: Looking back at a dumpster fire draft history

Mar 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan introduces New York Knicks new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson (not pictured) at a press conference at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 28, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld speaks to the media during a press conference to introduce Otto Porter Jr. at Verizon Center. Porter was selected with the third pick of the first round in the 2013 NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports /

Alright, 1996 deserves its own slide. When you get three first-round picks, you should at least walk away with one player who your fans can talk about without trying to drink heavily. Instead, general manager Ernie Grunfeld decided to go for the worst possible trio of players imaginable. In that sense, Grunfeld deserves a Hall of Fame nod for this mess alone.

Look, it isn’t easy doing the following:

1996 – 18th overall

John Wallace – PF – Syracuse

With Charles Oakley aging and Marcus Camby still with the Toronto Raptors, Grunfeld knew he had to get some size. In that vein, Grunfeld stayed in New York and took Wallace, a player legions of fans were thrilled with. It turns out Wallace couldn’t play. The former Orange star played one year in New York, averaging 4.8 points per game, before going to Toronto and ruining basketball for Canada. As one last gift, Wallace came back to the Knicks in 1999-00, only to continue being terrible.

1996 – 19th overall

Walter McCarty – PF – Kentucky

Man, remember that time McCarty was really good? Yeah, me neither. McCarty also played one season for New York before somehow blending into the bench with the Boston Celtics for eight years. Eight years! How is this even possible? Did McCarty have pictures or something? He never once had more than 10 points or five rebounds per game in a season.

1996 – 21st overall

Dontae’ Jones – PF – Mississippi State

Just when you thought Grunfeld had done enough to the Knicks, he goes and drops the Dontae’ Jones hammer. Jones never played a single minute for New York. Instead, he suited up for 18 forgettable games with the Celtics before being out of the league after one season. Somehow, this is not the Knicks’ worst pick of the last 25 years.

Next: 1997-2002 ... Slamming your head into a wall

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