Breaking News: Stephen Curry Originally Wanted to Be a Knick – Missed Opportunity That Changed NBA History
In one of the NBA’s greatest “what if” stories, fresh reports have re-emerged confirming that Stephen Curry originally hoped to be drafted by the New York Knicks back in 2009. The Knicks held the 8th overall pick that year—just one slot behind where the Golden State Warriors ultimately selected the future four-time NBA champion.
Curry, coming out of Davidson College, had already begun capturing national attention with his electric scoring and off-the-charts shooting. According to insiders at the time, Curry and his camp were quietly hoping he would fall to the Knicks, whose Madison Square Garden stage seemed like the perfect setting for a budding superstar.
But fate—and the Warriors—had other plans.
The Turning Point at Pick No. 7
With the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Golden State snatched up Curry, crushing New York’s hopes and shifting the landscape of the league forever. The Knicks, reportedly devastated, pivoted to draft Jordan Hill at No. 8—a move that would prove forgettable, as Hill was traded within his rookie season.
Had Curry landed in New York, the modern NBA could look drastically different. There would likely be no Warriors dynasty, no Splash Brothers, and possibly no revolution in the way basketball is played today—defined by spacing, three-point shooting, and Curry’s signature off-ball movement.
A Knicks What Could Have Been.
For Knicks fans, it’s yet another chapter in a saga of near-misses and painful draft luck. Since 2000, the franchise has struggled with consistency and playoff relevance. The idea that Curry—arguably the greatest shooter in basketball history—could have been the face of the franchise haunts many to this day.
Instead, Curry stayed on the West Coast, turning the Warriors into a global brand and winning titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He also won two MVP awards and changed the geometry of the game itself.
Curry Reflects on the Draft Night Disappointment
In past interviews, Curry acknowledged that he was interested in playing in New York and embraced the idea of becoming a Knick. But he’s never expressed regret about how things unfolded.
“Everything happens for a reason, Curry once said. “Golden State believed in me—and the rest is history.
Final Thoughts
For the Knicks, missing out on Curry in 2009 was a sliding-door moment that still stings. For the Warriors and the NBA, however, it was the beginning of a basketball revolution.
It’s a reminder that in the NBA Draft, one pick can change everything. And in Curry’s case, it did—just not for New York.