Although he was passed over in the draft, Starks signed with the Golden State Warriors in September 1998 as a free agent. He was waived a year later and played for the CBA. In 1990, he tried out for the New York Knicks. In a practice, he once tried to dunk on Patrick Ewing. Ewing threw him down and Starks twisted his knees. The team was not allowed to release him unless it healed by the end of December. When it did not healed, the Knicks could not release him. As a result, Starks referred to Ewing as his "Saving Grace". He eventually become the starting shooting guard for the Knicks. He participated in the 1992 slam dunk contest.