10 Basketball Players who Played for Nuggets and Knicks
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Nuggets and the Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony
After a successful college career at Syracuse University, which included a national championship in 2003, Carmelo Anthony was picked third overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft.
In Denver, Anthony became one of the league’s top scorers, leading the Nuggets to multiple playoff berths. His time in Denver culminated in a Western Conference Finals run in 2009. In 2011, he was traded to the New York Knicks, where he continued his scoring prowess and was selected to multiple All-Star games.
Over his career, Anthony has been selected to ten NBA All-Star Games and has been named to the All-NBA Team six times. Internationally, he has won three gold medals with Team USA at the Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016), becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer in the process.
Anthony Key Stats
- All-NBA (Nuggets, Knicks)
- All-Star (Nuggets, Knicks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Nuggets, Knicks)
Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups was known for his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, earning him the nickname “Mr. Big Shot”. Selected third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1997 NBA Draft, Billups had a productive career that spanned 17 seasons.
Billups’ career truly flourished when he joined the Detroit Pistons in 2002. With the Pistons, he was a key figure in their championship run in 2004, where he was named NBA Finals MVP.
Over his career, Billups was a five-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA selection. Known for his basketball IQ, leadership, and clutch performances, he was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice.
Billups Key Stats
- All-NBA (Pistons, Nuggets)
- All-Star (Pistons, Nuggets)
- NBA Championship (Pistons)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Timberwolves, Pistons, Nuggets)
Marcus Camby
The Toronto Raptors selected Marcus Camby as the 2nd overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft out of UMass. Camby made an immediate impact, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his debut season. However, his time with the Raptors was short-lived, as he was traded to the New York Knicks after just two seasons.
In New York, Camby emerged as one of the league’s premier shot-blockers and rebounders. He was a key figure in the Knicks’ 1999 run to the NBA Finals.
Camby’s standout season was in 2006-07 when he led the NBA in blocks (something he did 4x in his career) and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year while playing for the Denver Nuggets. Over his 17-year career, Camby played for several teams, including the Clippers, Trail Blazers, and Rockets.
Camby Key Stats
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Knicks, Nuggets, Clippers, Trail Blazers)
Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson was selected 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA Draft but was promptly traded to the New York Knicks. With the Knicks, he quickly became a fan favorite due to his energetic plays and ability to score against much taller opponents.
His time in New York showcased his talents, and Robinson became a three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion in 2006, 2009, and 2010.
Throughout his NBA career, Robinson played for multiple teams (8 in total), including the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Denver Nuggets, among others. Regardless of the team, his fearless approach and knack for making big plays in crucial moments remained consistent.
Antonio McDyess
Antonio McDyess began his NBA journey when he was selected 2nd overall by the Clippers in the 1995 NBA Draft. He was quickly traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he showcased his potential as one of the league’s rising stars. With the Nuggets, McDyess developed a reputation as a high-flying forward with a relentless work ethic.
His impressive play with Denver led to stints with the Suns, Knicks, Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs. While injuries slowed him down at various points in his career, McDyess continued to reinvent himself, transitioning from a primary scoring option to a key role player.
One of the highlights of McDyess’s career was during his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s deep playoff runs in the mid-2000s. He provided the Pistons with a strong interior presence, complementing the core of Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace.
McDyess Key Stats
- All-NBA (Nuggets)
- All-Star (Nuggets)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Nuggets)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Nuggets)
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson had a successful NBA career as both a player and a coach. As a player, Jackson was known for his outstanding court vision and passing prowess. Drafted in the first round by the New York Knicks in 1987, he quickly made an impact and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.
Over a career spanning 17 seasons, Jackson played for multiple teams, most notably the Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. His 10,334 career assists rank him among the all-time leaders in the NBA.
After his playing days, Jackson transitioned to broadcasting and coaching. His most prominent coaching stint was with the Golden State Warriors, where he was pivotal in developing the core group that would eventually become a dynasty.
Jackson Key Stats
- Rookie of the Year (Knicks)
- All-Star (Knicks)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Knicks, Clippers, Pacers, Nuggets)
DeAndre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan, an NBA center, is best known for his incredible defensive presence and elite rebounding skills. After playing one season at Texas A&M, he was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
During his tenure with the Clippers, Jordan, alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, formed a core trio famously known as “Lob City,” renowned for their high-flying alley-oops and fast-paced gameplay. Over the years, Jordan has led the league in rebounding multiple times and earned NBA All-Defensive Team honors.
In addition to the Clippers, he has played for the Mavericks, Nets, Lakers, 76ers and Nuggets. His career has been marked by consistent rim protection, rebounding prowess, and high field goal percentage, mainly from his dunks and close-range shots.
Jordan Key Stats
- All-NBA (Clippers)
- All-Star (Clippers)
- NBA Champ (Nuggets)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Clippers, Mavericks, Knicks, Nets)
Anthony Mason
Anthony Mason was a player known for his time with the New York Knicks and the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. A rugged and versatile forward standing at 6’7″, Mason was renowned for his defense, rebounding, and ability to handle the ball.
Mason played a key role for the Knicks from 1991 to 1996, where he, alongside Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and John Starks, helped the team reach the 1994 NBA Finals. His bruising play style was a perfect fit for the Knicks’ physical, defensive-oriented approach under coach Pat Riley.
In 1996, Mason signed with the Charlotte Hornets, where he had the most productive years of his career. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2001, averaging a double-double that season with 16.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Mason Key Stats
- All-NBA (Hornets)
- All-Star (Hornets)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Hornets)
Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose had a successful 13-year career in the NBA. Rose was selected 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1994 NBA Draft, and had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks.
Rose’s most successful years came with the Pacers, where he played a vital role in the team reaching the NBA Finals in 2000. That season, he averaged 18.2 points per game and proved himself to be a strong performer in the playoffs.
Post-retirement, Rose transitioned to a media career and has become a prominent sports analyst. Rose also established the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, a public charter school in his hometown of Detroit, underscoring his commitment to educational reform and community service.
Rose Key Stats
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers, Bulls)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nuggets, Pacers, Bulls, Raptors)
J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith was drafted straight out of high school by the New Orleans Hornets with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Over his career, Smith played for several NBA teams including the Nuggets, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Lakers.
His most noteworthy accomplishments came with the Cavaliers, where he was a key player in their 2016 championship run, providing crucial scoring and perimeter defense alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Smith would win another championship with LeBron in 2020 and the Lakers, but in a much more limited role.
Smith’s time in the NBA was marked by high-scoring performances and a streaky shooting style, which earned him both praise and criticism. He was known for his ability to catch fire from three-point range and go on impressive scoring runs.
