Knicks Rumors: Patrick Ewing to Represent New York at NBA Draft Lottery

The New York Knicks still have to wait to learn exactly where they will be selecting at the 2019 NBA draft on June 20, but the franchise is sending along a lucky charm to Chicago on May 14 for the draft lottery.

ESPN's Ian Begley and Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Friday night that the Knicks have chosen Patrick Ewing to represent them at the lottery. The Hall of Fame Knicks center was the No. 1 overall selection in 1985 and spent the majority of his career in New York. 

After finishing 2018-19 at an NBA-worst 17-65, New York holds a 14 percent chance at landing the No. 1 overall pick and a 52.1 percent chance at a top-four selection, per Tankathon.com.

The Georgetown head coach hinted at his involvement with the lottery Thursday during a radio appearance: 

While Duke freshman forward and Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Zion Williamson is the presumed top prize at the upcoming draft, he has yet to officially declare. 

247Sports reported earlier Friday that, when asked about his status, Williamson laughed and said, "Who knows?" 

The Knicks—and every other lottery team—have their fingers crossed.

However, it's going to take a lot more than Mount Zion for the Knicks to ascend out of the cellar. New York has not made the postseason since 2012-13, posting 17-win seasons both in 2014-15 and this season.

The 2018-19 campaign was head coach David Fizdale's first with the franchise. He was dealt a tough blow when All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis requested and received a trade to the Dallas Mavericks midway through the season.

But even before that, it has been the worst kept secret in the league that the Knicks' rebuild will take a long time.