The New York Knicks are on top of the world, and boy, are they celebrating. They deserve it after bringing home the first Knicks championship in 53 years.
The Knicks had their ticker-tape parade in Manhattan on Thursday, June 18, and the star players were out in full force, including Jalen Brunson. During the City Hall ceremony at the end of the parade, Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented the Keys to the City to the players, coaches, and Knicks staff. It was a magical moment, and the Knicks crew soaked it all in.
Something nobody really talked about at the event was the upcoming NBA draft. While it’s great to enjoy the moment, and it’s a moment they certainly earned, the 2026 NBA draft is just days away. So, the Knicks should do a little homework on what players will be available by their pick at No. 24.
Knicks Could Land The Perfect Jalen Brunson Complement In The NBA Draft?
What The Knicks Need In An NBA Draft Pick
So, who should the Knicks draft with their No. 24 pick? The best players who could help Brunson are those who could create scoring opportunities, make outside shots consistently, and offer extra depth at guard.
The latest mock draft from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has the team selecting center Henri Veesaar out of North Carolina, with Woo noting that the player would bring “perimeter shooting and sheer size” to any franchise.
However, let’s say New York wants to really complement Brunson. Let’s say they want to take the pressure off him. That would be smart, because we’re talking about a player who scored 45 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, notching the team’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs. That’s impressive, but no player should have to score 45 points in a game to put their team over the edge. New York needs to draft a player who can help take the pressure off Brunson.
A few players who could jump out as ideal Brunson complements are AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. They’re versatile, two-way wings that would step in and really help the Knicks and Brunson. However, there’s no way they’ll be available by pick No. 24.
Thankfully, for the Knicks, one perfect fit is likely to still be waiting for his name to be called by their pick.
An Ideal Fit For Jalen Brunson And New York
It’s looking like Meleek Thomas will be available by pick No. 24. The guard out of Arizona is versatile and has more value than his draft stock implies.
Thomas teetered between staying in the NBA draft or returning to Arkansas, but in the end, he decided to go for the NBA, and it’s a smart move, because he’s expected to be drafted in the first round. On the court with Arkansas and at the NBA Combine, Thomas has impressed with his size, ability to score, and strong defensive tendencies, which have strengthened his position in mock drafts and taken him into the first round.
The Knicks have their eye on Thomas, too. In late May, the team brought in several draft prospects for pre-draft workouts, including Thomas. He’ll likely be the best player available by No. 24, but even if he’s not, New York would be wise to take him. Taking the best available player, of course, isn’t always the best strategy.
Some drafts have Thomas going later, like ESPN’s, which has him at No. 27 to the Boston Celtics. However, again, even if a better player is available at No. 24, it would be hard to let Thomas slip away.
Thomas can do a little bit of everything. He can handle the ball, create plays for teammates, and knock down shots from a variety of spots. He also has a reputation as an unselfish player. With the Knicks, Thomas could help take some of the pressure off Brunson by really handling the ball and providing some much-needed depth.
Featured Image: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
