Ewing will serve as the Knicks representative for the provisional lottery



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Thirty-four years after Dave DeBusschere, a great New York Knicks player, was named the choice of future Hall of Fame nominee Patrick Ewing, Ewing will now represent the franchise in the draw for the NBA next month to have the chance to project Duke Zion Williamson phenomenon, the team announced on Saturday.

"Patrick is an important part of the history of our team and we are excited that the number 33 represents this year's provisional lottery franchise," said Knicks President Steve Mills. "Patrick's ties to the lottery are well-documented and we are proud that one of the greatest Knicks of all time is sitting on the stage on behalf of the team, the city and the fans. fans. "

The Knicks finished the season with the worst record in the NBA. New York, the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers – the teams that finished with the three worst records – will all have a 14% chance of reaching the first choice.

Ewing, a Hall of Fame center that played for the Knicks in the 1980s and 1990s, was selected with the No. 1 pick by New York in the 1985 draft. Ewing will bring him the same kind of luck in this year's provisional lottery scheduled for May 14th.

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Because she finished with the worst record in the league, New York will choose no less than fifth place in the June draft.

The club hopes to use its lottery pick and the $ 70 million of funds it will have this summer to dramatically improve its lineup that has finished 17-65 this season, breaking the franchise's history record.

This pursuit begins on the night of the draw, when Ewing, the absolute franchise leader in points, rebounds, blockages and contested matches, will sit on the podium for the club.

In recent seasons, Walt Frazier, legend of the Knicks, Mills and general manager Scott Perry have represented the franchise on the night of the lottery.

Knicks head coach David Fizdale asked Ewing to speak to his team earlier this season on a trip to Washington to play the Wizards.

Ewing, currently head coach at Georgetown, said in an interview earlier this week that he was being questioned "all the time" about the Knicks' chances of landing Williamson and the free agent. Kevin Durant.

Williamson, who on Friday won the John R. Wooden Award as the best college basketball player, declined to say he would join his teammates Duke, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish to qualify for the draft. who knows?"

The career of the Ewing Knicks has ended awkwardly.

He reportedly requested an exchange in 2000 because the club refused to extend his contract. The resulting transaction, which sent Ewing to Seattle in his 16th season, forced the Knicks into long-term wage commitments to players with poor talent. He also started a difficult time for the club. New York has won just one playoff since Ewing, an All-Star 11 times, was traded.

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