If you were looking for the New York Knicks to dominate the podium at the 2025 NBA Draft, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. The cupboard wasn't just bare—it was basically stripped for parts. Leon Rose and the front office decided a while ago that they were done with the "hope and pray" method of building through the lottery.
They went all-in.
By the time the 2025 draft cycle rolled around, the NY Knicks draft picks 2025 situation had become a masterclass in aggressive asset management. Or a cautionary tale, depending on how much you value 19-year-olds with high ceilings.
The Mikal Bridges Tax and the Disappearing First-Rounders
Let's be real: you don't trade for a guy like Mikal Bridges without paying a king's ransom. Most fans remember the headlines about the "Villanova Knicks," but the fine print was where the draft capital died. The Knicks shipped their own 2025 unprotected first-round pick straight to Brooklyn. They didn't stop there. They also tossed in a 2025 first-rounder from Milwaukee (which was top-4 protected) just to make sure the Nets said yes.
So, before the season even started, New York had already punted its two best chances at landing a blue-chip prospect in one of the most hyped classes in years.
Wait. It actually gets weirder.
New York technically entered the year holding onto protected picks from Detroit and Washington. If you're a Knicks fan, you've been tracking these like a hawk for three years. The Detroit pick was top-13 protected. The Washington pick was top-10 protected.
Guess what? Neither of them moved.
Because both the Pistons and Wizards stayed in the basement of the standings, those picks didn't convey. They just rolled over to 2026. This left the Knicks sitting on a big fat zero in the first round of the 2025 draft. While other teams were dreaming of Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey, Leon Rose was probably on the phone looking for more veteran bench depth.
The Lone Survivor: Round 2, Pick 51
When the actual draft night happened in June 2025, the Knicks were almost invisible. Their own second-round pick? Gone. Forfeited because of the Jalen Brunson "tampering" investigation from a few years back. Honestly, if losing a second-rounder is the price for Jalen Brunson, every GM in the league would take that deal ten times over.
The Knicks finally appeared on the clock at pick No. 50, which they got from Memphis via a long, confusing chain of trades involving Boston and OKC. But in classic Knicks fashion, they didn't even keep it.
They traded No. 50 (Kobe Sanders) to the LA Clippers for pick No. 51 and some cash.
👉 See also: Why Kota Ibushi Re-signs With AEW Still Matters for Pro Wrestling
With that 51st pick, the Knicks took Mohamed Diawara, a 6'8" forward from France.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he’s close friends with Pacôme Dadiet, the kid New York took in 2024. Diawara is a project. He’s athletic, he’s a defensive menace, and his jumper is... well, it’s a work in progress. He averaged about 5.8 points in the French league before coming over. He isn't here to save the franchise; he’s here to see if the Knicks' development staff can turn him into a rotation wing by 2027.
Why the Lack of NY Knicks Draft Picks 2025 Actually Matters
You might think having no first-rounders is a disaster.
In a vacuum, maybe. But the Knicks are playing a different game now. They aren't trying to find the next Patrick Ewing; they are trying to keep the window open for Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. By trading away those NY Knicks draft picks 2025, they effectively traded "potential" for "proven."
However, there is a risk.
The NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a monster. It makes it incredibly hard for expensive teams to add talent. Usually, you use cheap rookie contracts to fill out your bench. When you don't have draft picks, you have to rely on veteran minimum deals and "undrafted" gems.
The Fallout of the Empty 2025 Cupboard:
- Zero Salary Relief: First-round picks are locked into cheap, multi-year deals. New York missed out on that cost-controlled labor.
- Trade Flexibility: You can't trade what you don't have. After the Bridges and KAT trades, the Knicks' "war chest" is looking pretty thin.
- Development Gap: Outside of Dadiet and now Diawara, there isn't much "young" talent waiting in the wings if the starters get hit by the injury bug.
What's Left in the Vault?
If you’re worried the Knicks are totally out of assets, take a breath. It’s not that bad.
✨ Don't miss: Raul: Why the Real Madrid Legend Still Matters in 2026
They still have those Detroit and Washington picks in the 2026 hopper. The Detroit pick becomes top-11 protected in 2026. The Washington pick becomes top-8 protected. There is a decent chance at least one of those actually lands in New York's lap next summer. Plus, they still own their own 2026 first-rounder.
The real "danger zone" is 2027 and beyond, where the Nets own basically everything that isn't nailed down.
Actionable Next Steps for Knicks Fans
If you want to keep track of where this team is heading after the 2025 draft cycle, here is what you should be watching:
- Monitor the Pistons and Wizards: Their success (or lack thereof) determines if the Knicks get a first-round pick in 2026. You want them to be mediocre, not terrible. If they stay in the bottom three, those picks might never convey as first-rounders.
- Watch the G-League: Since the Knicks didn't have high picks in 2025, they’ve been aggressive in the undrafted free-agent market. Keep an eye on the Westchester Knicks roster; that’s where the 2025 "replacements" are hiding.
- The 2026 Trade Deadline: Because the 2025 draft assets are gone, Leon Rose will likely have to use players (like Mitchell Robinson or Miles McBride) as trade bait if the team needs an upgrade for a deep playoff run.
The 2025 draft wasn't a night of celebration for New York. It was a night of realization. This team is finished with the lottery. They’ve built their squad, and now they have to live with the consequences of an empty draft board.