The history of The Jared Jeffries Pick (11) and where the Knicks can take it this year
Remember Jared Jeffries? He once found himself the pick for the Knicks in the same spot they hold a pick this year. What could this year’s iteration of the 11th pick hold for New York?
Remember Jared Jeffries? He played 299 games with the Knicks from 2006 to 2012, sandwiched around 36 games with Houston. Upon Jeffries signing what was at the time a max mid-level deal (five years, $30 million), then-GM Isiah Thomas said, "One of the things that was written and said and was true about us, chemistry wasn't right. What Jared brings to us more so than talent, he brings chemistry... His ball-handling skills are pretty unique for a player of his size, and his passing skills are pretty unique. He's pretty complete as a player. Every night you can mismatch your lineup. You can move him around in different places strategically that may give you an advantage on that night."
Things didn’t quite work out, for JJ or the Knicks. He was a starter for most of his first stint in New York; upon being re-signed late in the 2011 season, Jeffries was but a bit player, best (or worst) remembered for the end of Game 2 against the Boston Celtics that year.
I imagine you’re wondering why you’re two paragraph into this piece and we’re talking about Jared Jeffries. Here’s the hook: Jeffries was drafted 11th in the 2002 draft. The Knicks are drafting 11th in this June’s draft. After examining the facts, odds are – assuming New York doesn’t trade the pick – whomever the Knicks land will have a career far closer to Jared Jeffries than an All-Star, much less an All-NBA talent.
Only two of the last 20 players drafted 11th became All-Stars: Klay Thompson and Domantas Sabonis. Al Jefferson never made it, but was named to the 2014 All-NBA Third Team.
The other 11s since the 2002 are a mixed bag, at best: Jeffries; Mickaël Piétrus; Andris Biedriņš; Fran Vázquez; J.J. Redick; Acie Law; Jerryd Bayless; Terrence Williams; Cole Aldrich; Thompson; Meyers Leonard; Michael Carter-Williams; Doug McDermott; Myles Turner; Sabonis; Malik Monk; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Cam Johnson; Devin Vassell; James Bouknight.
Certainly we’re not slaves to history. I’m not suggesting the Knicks should trade their 11th pick in 2022 just because 17 years ago Orlando used their 11th pick on Vázquez, who never played in the NBA. There are a couple of meaningful conclusions one can draw from this history without being a loon.
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