In a candid revelation, Rick Pitino, the former head coach of Louisville, shared that he urged the New York Knicks to draft Donovan Mitchell back in 2017. During an appearance on the Roommates Show podcast, Pitino recounted making a direct call to the Knicks to advocate for his standout guard. He expressed confidence in Mitchell’s potential, stating, “I call them up and I say, ‘listen, take my guy Donovan Mitchell, he’s gonna kill it.’” However, the Knicks opted for Frank Ntilikina instead, a decision that has become one of the franchise’s notable draft blunders.
The choice of Ntilikina, who has become synonymous with the term “bust” in Knicks lore, overshadowed the success of Mitchell, who has emerged as a star player for the Utah Jazz and currently showcases his talents with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ntilikina played for the Knicks from 2017 to 2021 before making a brief appearance in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023-24 season. As of now, he is competing in the EuroLeague with Olympiacos.
Despite the regret surrounding the draft misstep, the Knicks have shown resilience and progressed significantly since then. The team is actively building a competitive roster that aims to contend in the upcoming 2025-26 season, illustrating their commitment to strengthening the franchise for future success. This positive trajectory showcases the Knicks’ determination to learn from past decisions and strive for greatness on the court.