New York is still drunk on ticker tape and champagne, but the Knicks’ front office is already staring at the 2026 NBA Draft board with a mix of opportunity and caution. The championship parade hasn’t even been scheduled yet, and the team has three picks — 24th, 31st, and 55th overall — plus a bench that’s about to get picked clean in free agency.
Ten reserves are set to hit the open market, including key role players like Jose Alvarado and Mitchell Robinson. That means the roster that just ended a 53-year title drought could look noticeably thinner by October unless the front office nails this draft. And for a franchise with a spotty record on first-round selections — Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox still sting — hitting on No. 24 matters more than the celebration might suggest.
Jayden Quaintance: High Risk, Sky-High Ceiling
Kentucky freshman Jayden Quaintance is the kind of swing-for-the-fences pick that could either solve the Knicks’ interior depth for years or become another injury footnote. At 6-foot-9 with a 7’5.25″ wingspan and a frame that already carries 253 pounds, he draws frequent comparisons to Robert Williams III — a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection. That’s heady praise for a player who started just one game for the Wildcats and is coming off an ACL injury.
The defensive potential is real. Quaintance can guard multiple positions, alter shots at the rim, and punish pick-and-roll actions. But the lack of recent tape — he barely played before the injury — makes him a gamble the Knicks can afford only if they believe their medical staff can keep him on the floor. If Mitchell Robinson walks, Quaintance could be the long-term replacement. If not, he’s a project on a team that wants to run it back.
Meleek Thomas: Instant Backcourt Depth
Arkansas combo guard Meleek Thomas has been linked to the Knicks in multiple pre-draft evaluations, and for good reason. At pick No. 24 in the latest mock draft from ClutchPoints, Thomas would slide in behind Jalen Brunson as a secondary playmaker who doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He averaged 15.6 points last season and elevated his game in the NCAA tournament — a sign he can handle big moments.
With Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson both headed for free agency, Thomas could step into a bench scoring role immediately. He scores at all three levels, moves well without the ball, and fits the unselfish system coach Mike Brown runs. He’s not a star, but he’s the kind of plug-and-play guard who helps a championship team stay deep without breaking the bank.
Allen Graves: The Safe, Smart Forward
Santa Clara forward Allen Graves might be the most boring pick on the board — and for a team that just won a title, boring can be beautiful. He shot 41.3% from three last season, knocked down 75% of his free throws, and averaged 11.8 points while making smart, crisp passes out of the post. At 6-foot-9, he can stretch the floor alongside Karl-Anthony Towns or provide steady minutes when OG Anunoby sits.
The Knicks’ postseason run exposed some cracks: Mikal Bridges struggled through the 2026 playoffs, and the bench scoring outside the starting unit was inconsistent. Graves won’t be a highlight reel, but he fills a clear need as a forward who spaces the floor, doesn’t turn the ball over, and plays within himself. With PF Mohamed Diawara also hitting free agency, Graves could slide into that rotation slot without disrupting the team’s chemistry.
The Knicks have three paths at No. 24 — injury-rebound star, instant guard depth, or steady rotational forward. The right choice depends on how confident they feel about their free-agent departures. One thing is certain: the celebration ends when the draft clock starts.
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