The 2025 NBA Draft will feature only 59 selections instead of the usual 60, as the New York Knicks forfeit their second-round pick as a penalty tied to their signing of Jalen Brunson. While the first round on Wednesday will have the normal 30 picks, Thursday’s second round will see just 29 selections due to an NBA tampering violation from the summer of 2022.
New York’s free agency move to acquire Brunson became transformative for the franchise, propelling the Knicks into consistent Eastern Conference playoff contention and breaking a 25-year absence from the Conference Finals this season. However, the league determined that the Knicks engaged in improper discussions with Brunson’s camp before free agency officially began, violating NBA rules and triggering the draft pick loss.
Impact and precedents of tampering penalties on team’s draft picks
The Knicks are not unique in facing consequences for tampering, as losing a second-round pick remains the NBA’s standard disciplinary action for such infractions. Despite the penalty, teams often find it worthwhile to risk these violations to secure impactful players. The Knicks have demonstrated this by trading away their 2025 second-round selection, which would have likely fallen in the mid-50s, for the on-court success Brunson has delivered.
Since joining New York, Brunson has averaged 26.4 points and 6.7 assists per game with an impressive 59.8% true shooting percentage, earning recognition as a perennial All-Star and All-NBA talent. His presence has translated into significant postseason progress for the Knicks, who have won four playoff series in the past three years compared to only one over the prior 22 seasons combined.
Consequences of the draft pick loss for players and the Knicks moving forward
The immediate consequence of the penalty is a slightly shortened second round, resulting in one fewer player hearing their name called on draft night. For the Knicks, this means forfeiting an opportunity to add young talent through the 56th overall pick. However, given the franchise’s revived success and Brunson’s contributions, many see this cost as an investment that has already paid dividends.
For hopeful prospects, the reduced number of picks translates into increased competition to join the league via undrafted free agency. Meanwhile, the Knicks’ experience serves as a cautionary example of the ongoing tension between aggressive roster-building strategies and adherence to NBA rules, underscoring the league’s influence on team decisions and draft dynamics.