New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson understands the value of unheralded prospects. Some of his most valued contributors as a coach were drafted rather late, including Kobe Bryant at No. 13, B.J. Armstrong at No. 18, Derek Fisher at No. 24, and Toni Kukoc at No. 29.
As the league evolves and quality players are found even deeper in the NBA Draft, Jackson is embracing the need to scout more than just the recognizable names.
Jackson signed a pair of undrafted free agents in 2016: Ron Baker and Marshall Plumlee. He added another group of unheralded players to that roster, including Justin Holiday, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Maurice Ndour, and Chasson Randle.