The New York Knicks’ resurgence in the mid-2020s has allowed many fans to overlook the franchise’s past missteps. However, Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, currently the head coach of St. John’s, remains visibly frustrated by one of their most glaring draft blunders. Recently, during an appearance on The Roommates Show with hosts Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Pitino revealed that he actively urged the Knicks to draft Donovan Mitchell instead of Frank Ntilikina during the 2017 NBA Draft.
Pitino recalled calling the Knicks front office to advocate for Mitchell, emphasizing his conviction that the Louisville standout would excel in the NBA. Despite Pitino’s passionate endorsement, the Knicks opted for Ntilikina, allowing Mitchell to be selected later at 13th overall by the Utah Jazz. In the years since, Mitchell has blossomed into one of the league’s premier players, earning six All-Star selections, whereas Ntilikina’s NBA career faltered, leading him to play overseas.
This isn’t the first time Pitino has publicized his regret over this decision. He shared similar sentiments back in 2019 on SiriusXM NBA Radio, where he reiterated his advice to draft Mitchell. In a 2022 interview, he spoke about Mitchell’s affinity for the Knicks and suggested that the guard would “treasure” the opportunity to play in New York.
The Knicks’ draft history has been fraught with missed opportunities, from choosing Fredric Weis over Ron Artest in 1999 to selecting Kevin Knox over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018, and Obi Toppin over Tyrese Haliburton in 2020. However, with the current success of the team under Brunson’s leadership, many fans are focusing on the present and future rather than dwelling on past mistakes.
Pitino’s persistent reminders of the past serve as a sobering reflection of what could have been for the Knicks. While fans celebrate the rejuvenation of their team, they may wonder why some figures like Pitino continue to bring up painful memories instead of embracing the current narrative of success and hope for the future.