USC's Vucevic at 'center' of Knicks' attention
By MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 4:02 AM, June 21, 2011
Posted: 1:33 AM, June 21, 2011

In an NBA Draft the Knicks did not believe would solve their size woes, along comes USC's 6-foot-11 Nikola Vucevic squarely into the picture.

Vucevic was back for another Knicks workout yesterday, and he's in the mix for when the team picks at No. 17, according to multiple sources.

Vucevic is not the Knicks' razzle-dazzle choice. Some of the higher-rated and sexier backcourt possibilites, BYU's Jimmer Fredette and Washington State's Klay Thompson, probably won't fall to the Knicks, nor will prized Florida State defensive swingman Chris Singleton. Fredette, Thompson and Singleton were invited to the green room in Newark for Thursday's draft; Vucevic was not invited.

That the Knicks will trade up into the lottery for Fredette or Thompson appears unlikely because multiple sources said the club is not willing to give up either of its two biggest trade pawns, Landry Fields or Toney Douglas, to do so. Plus, outgoing team president Donnie Walsh does not have a second-rounder to add to a deal because that pick was surrendered in the Carmelo Anthony trade.

Vucevic, a junior who was born in Montenegro, is not a shot-blocker, but he is a good rebounder, solid positional defender and a capable scorer from the post and mid-range. He averaged 17.1 points and 10.3 rebounds this past season, is only 20 years old and may still be growing. Amar'e Stoudemire said the Knicks must improve defensively, and Vucevic would help in that area.

Reached yesterday in Hawaii, USC coach Kevin O'Neill told The Post, "He knows how to play, he's got legitimate size, rebounds well in his area, can guard the 4 and 5 and he's only 20. His best days are ahead of him."

Vucevic's Knicks workout yesterday was solid, but the Knicks also were impressed with Michigan point guard Darius Morris, who has risen on their draft board. Morris outplayed Kansas guard Josh Selby, who is being viewed by the Knicks staff as too big a risk at 17. Georgia Tech point guard Iman Shumpert and Selby could be available later in the first round, and Walsh is confident he will buy more picks as he has done in the past.

Big men, the Knicks' biggest need, are a scarcity in this draft. The Knicks feel they more likely can snare a good point guard late in the first round or in the second round.

The Knicks hope to have last year's second-round acquisition, center Jerome Jordan, join the team next season, but there is concern they still won't have enough big men. If the new collective bargaining agreement does not allow for a mid-level exception, the Knicks are going to be hard-pressed to find a solid starting center.

"[Vucevic will] be most attractive for a team whose biggest need is size," O'Neill said. "He can be a backup 4 right now, and he can start at the 5 as a young player. There's no size in the NBA.

"I don't think he'll be an NBA shot-blocker," O'Neill added. "But he can guard 5s well. He's a positional defender, not a great shot-blocker."

The Knicks' centers following the Anthony trade were Jared Jeffries, Ronny Turiaf and Shelden Williams.

Vucevic did not have a lot of buzz until the last few weeks, but he did well at the Chicago combine and during workouts, impressing teams with his basketball IQ.

"He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke -- he's a basketball player," O'Neill said. "And he's going to get better because he works hard."

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There have been renewed whispers the Knicks have inquired about Suns point guard Steve Nash, who lives in SoHo in the offseason. The Knicks have talked internally about trading Chauncey Billups for Nash as both have expiring contracts. But there does not appear any reason for Suns owner Robert Sarver to make a move and give Mike D'Antoni a chance to reunite with his favorite son.

marc.berman@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/usc_vucevic_at_center_of_knicks_fQW4QY0ufdry7UDIr4GG4O#ixzz1PuT5tspj

vucevic + jerome jordan coming back will give the knicks a much improved front line.

also, love the rumor of the knicks buying a late first rounder (from chicago? they said they were looking to deal) to get a PG. darius morris seems like a PG in the truest sense of the word, and mister earl likes him which means i'm obligated to like him. iman shumpert seems like an athletic freak who can be a lockdown defender. either one gives more depth to our back court.

this would be an A draft in my opinion. its not as sexy as getting a former #1 high school prospect (selby) or using assets to trade up and get the jimmer, but the knicks would be the strongest going into next season.

The key to this, is that the kid is 20, still growing and already has an offensive game. He can hit the 15 foot shot. He is perfect for MDA's system. NY's frontline will be dangerous. If they can get a legit backup PG and move TD to the SG spot with fields coming off the bench at 2-3, then they have a solid looking team.

I am all in for Vucevic at 17

We have the stars in PF Amare and SF Carmelo. We have the veteran lead guard in PG Chauncey Billups. We have pieces of a bench in SG/SF Fields, PF/C Turiaf, SG Douglas, SF/PF Shawne Williams and lets not forget SF Derrick Brown, who should be brought back.

So you need two centers (one starter), a starting SG, a backup PG and maybe a backup banger PF. The most glaring needs are the first three.

You get one center in Jerome Jordan, and that is a BIG help, but its doubtful he can start for us. A quality big C is much needed.

Now, in terms of this draft, maybe the best talent is in the top 15 and only a few are big men. That's why is understandable that if one of the top guards falls, for example Klay Thompson, you pick him and run away like a bandit. If you can move up to pick him without hurting your team (for example you trade Douglas to move up but get a 2nd Rd. pick in the deal) you do it. If you pick a big, be sure he is good and can help right away because most busts happen to be big men picked early because of size and not talent.

To me, the perfect draft for us would be something like this: A talent like Thompson or Burks falls to 17 and you pick him. Problem is, you are counting on luck and that is never a strong plan. So you move up in one of those suggested deals floating out there where you get a pick between 9 (Charlotte), 10 (Bucks) or 15 (Indy) for Douglas and the 17th. One of those deals would look better if you get a second rounder, especially if its the 15th. You pick a starting SG (Thompson / Burks)

Then you buy a lower 1st rounder (T-Wolves at 20, Bulls at 28 or Spurs at 29) and grab Vicevic. Don't know if he lasts to 28+, so the best bet is the T-Wolves. Would including Walker or Brown get it done? (Hopefully Brown stays as he has potential.)

With the 2nd rounder either acquired by trade or bought, grab the backup PG (Shumpert, Jenkins or Selby) and then go grab yourself a freaking good Margarita Frozen and celebrate with your peers for an extremely successful night!!

TheGame wrote:Why not take a chance on Tyler. Vucevic might turn into a decent center, but the guy is never going to be an allstar and is not a shot-blocker. Tyler is going to take 1-2 years to develop, but he has the athletic ability to be everything we need from the center position. After watching videos of Tyler, I am convinced the kid is not a stiff. It is just of question of how hard is he going to work to develop his game, but he is easily one of the most atlethic 7 footers in the draft.

Because by then we'll be on the tail end of our deals with Stat and Melo. We need help NOW, not in a couple of years.

TheGame wrote:Why not take a chance on Tyler. Vucevic might turn into a decent center, but the guy is never going to be an allstar and is not a shot-blocker. Tyler is going to take 1-2 years to develop, but he has the athletic ability to be everything we need from the center position. After watching videos of Tyler, I am convinced the kid is not a stiff. It is just of question of how hard is he going to work to develop his game, but he is easily one of the most atlethic 7 footers in the draft.

If I was Walsh I would gladly buy a 2nd rounder for him and even let him improve in the D-League or outside the US to let him develop while we wait. Its always great to have young talent waiting on the wings like Jordan this year. BUT, the truth is we need to use #17 and/or any other pick we get in the 1st round on talent that can help us immediately as we need to build depth for 'Melo & 'Mare.