6 Basketball Players who Played for Rockets 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 Houston Rockets 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 Rockets 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)
Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady, often known by his initials T-Mac, was a 7-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion (2003 and 2004). He was selected as the 9th pick in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors.
He played for the Raptors until 2000 before being traded to the Orlando Magic, where his career took off. From 2000 to 2004, McGrady was one of the most exciting players in the NBA, with a peak scoring average of 32.1 points per game in the 2002-2003 season.
In 2017, McGrady was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the best scorers and most talented players of his generation.
McGrady Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Rockets, Magic, Raptors, Pistons, Hawks, Knicks)
- All-NBA (Magic, Rockets)
- All-Star (Magic, Rockets)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Magic, Rockets)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Magic, Rockets)
Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler was renowned for his rebounding and defensive skills. Drafted straight out of high school as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2001 NBA draft, Chandler was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he spent his first five seasons.
He moved to the Dallas Mavericks in 2010, where he won the NBA Championship in 2011. His exceptional performance earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award the following season.
Throughout his career, Chandler played for several NBA teams (8 in total) including the Knicks, Suns, Lakers and Rockets. Known for his tenacity on defense and ability to protect the rim, he also had significant success on the international stage, winning a gold medal with Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics.
Chandler Key Stats
- All-NBA (Knicks)
- All-Star (Knicks)
- NBA Championship (Mavericks)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pelicans, Knicks, Mavericks, Suns)
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)
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)
Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph, often referred to as “Z-Bo,” was widely recognized for his scoring and rebounding prowess. He played college basketball at Michigan State University before being selected 19th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Randolph had stints with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers but truly flourished when he joined the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009. He became a central figure in the Grizzlies’ “Grit and Grind” era alongside Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley. His toughness and post-up game became hallmarks of the team’s identity.
During his time with the Grizzlies, Randolph was a two-time NBA All-Star (2010, 2013) and helped lead the Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals in the 2012-13 season. He ranks first in Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise history for total rebounds.
Randolph Key Stats
- All-NBA (Grizzlies)
- All-Star (Grizzlies)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Trail Blazers, Grizzlies)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Trail Blazers, Knicks, Grizzlies)
