NBA Draft: Re-drafting the historic 2009 NBA Draft

Re-drafting the 2009 NBA Draft: 8) Danny Green, New York Knicks

Speaking to everlasting laughingstocks, we have now reached the New York Knicks, who were only a year removed from the disastrous Isiah Thomas era. In actuality, the Knicks used this pick to select Arizona Wildcats forward Jordan Hill.

In fairness to the Knicks, Hill did have a few productive seasons…with the Los Angeles Lakers, as the big man lasted a grand total of 24 games before the Knicks traded him to the Houston Rockets in a three-team mega deal where New York acquired the rights to an aging and injury-depleted Tracy McGrady. Gee, why are the Knicks always so bad?

Given the litany of point guards on the roster at the time — Chris Duhon, Nate Robinson and Anthony Roberson — New York should have used this pick to add some shooting and perimeter defense. North Carolina wing Danny Green would’ve filled that role nicely.

Green was one of several second-round heists in this class, as the Cleveland Cavaliers took him with the 46th overall pick. He spent one year with the Cavaliers before they waived him prior to the 2010-11 season.

You know what happened next? The San Antonio Spurs picked him up shortly afterward and despite some literal ups and downs — he was sent to the G-League several times — he blossomed into a reliable 3-and-D wing.

Of course, if the Knicks drafted Green in this spot, he probably wouldn’t have reached his full potential. After all, these are the Knicks we’re talking about.