PICKS MAY BE DEALT
By MARC BERMAN

March 24, 2006 -- The Knicks traded their own lottery pick, which could be No. 1 overall. However, if the season ended today, they still would have the 24th and 29th selections in the NBA Draft.

Larry Brown has hinted he could foresee the Knicks packaging Denver's and San Antonio's first-rounders with an expiring contract (Maurice Taylor) to move up.

With the lottery weak, teams might want to fall back to get an extra pick. One mid-lottery selection the Knicks have interest in is LSU's 6-9 athletic shot-blocking forward Tyrus Thomas, who faced Duke last night in the Sweet 16.

In fact, Brown has told confidants he thinks Thomas should be considered for the No. 1 pick, though most scouts see the freshman as mid-to-late-lottery choice. Brown is on record saying he'd rather have Eddy Curry than either of the top players mentioned for No. 1, Adam Morrison or J.J. Redick.

"I can see Tyrus as Larry's kind of player," one league executive said. "He plays extremely hard, very athletic, rebounds, blocks shots."

If the Knicks use their picks, they could go for a rugged rebounding power forward to fill their toughness need. Florida's Al Horford, UConn's Hilton Armstrong and BC's Craig Smith are projected in the 20-to-30 range.

Others still playing who are projected as late first-rounders include Villanova guards Randy Foye and Allen Ray, West Virginia's Mike Gansey and UConn's Rashad Anderson.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 03-24-2006 11:01 AM]

sounds good to me... make it happen LB.

How are we going to get a top 7 pick to grab Tyrus? Will LB play the guy?

Posted by WOODMANnYk:

DOn't ever give up on LArry Brown.. He knows what to do to prepare for next season..

HE should be the Knicks G.M.

He's telling Assiah what needs to be done..

[Edited by - WOODMANNyK on 03-24-2006 11:23 AM]

Yeah like like tell Thomas to acquire Francis so he can prove to the world that Francis is not coachable and doesn't care. I guess Brown is taking on himself to cure the NBA.