The 2024 NBA Draft took place on Wednesday evening at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to making their 26th overall pick, the New York Knicks finalized a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium: “Sources: OKC is sending five second round picks to the Knicks for Dillon Jones at No. 26.”
Charania added: “Thunder are sending five seconds that span 2025 to 2027 to the Knicks.”
Dillon Jones, who played four seasons at Weber State, was the focus of the trade. In his senior year, Jones averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, shooting 48.9% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range over 31 games.
The Thunder, known for their young and talented roster, finished the season as the top seed in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record. They swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the NBA playoffs but were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the second round.
The Knicks originally acquired the 26th pick from the Washington Wizards in an earlier deal.
Adding more context to Jones’s selection, Joel Lorenzi of Oklahoman Sports noted: “Dillon Jones wasn’t a green room invite tonight. The Athletic’s big board had him slotted at 65. ESPN had him slotted at No. 50. The Thunder trades five seconds to take him at No. 26. 6-6 with a 6-11 wingspan. Was into a little bit of everything for Weber State: P&R, spot ups, transition. Averaged 21 points, 10 boards, 5 assists this past season.”
