Top Targets (guys that have the potential to be stars/players I'd be interested in moving up a little to get)

Willie Warren - let's hope his stock continues to stay low throughout the process & we have a shot, although I can't for the life of me see him falling as low as what nbadraft.net is predicting (they have him going 43 to the Lakers). That's nuts - there's just too much talent there. I think the potential's there for a Derrick Rose/Russell Westbrook/Stephon Marbury type PG here. And hey, if that doesn't pan out and he turns out to be something closer to Rodney Stuckey, that wouldn't be the end of the world -- I actually like Stuckey. I've read about Ben Gordon comparisons & I just don't see that. Gordon is a scorer. 100% scorer..With Warren, I see the ability to not only score the ball but run a team as well - big difference....Point is to me it'd be worth a trade up into the lower 1st round to find out. I never even pictured him as a possibility for us until a week or two ago..

Sylven Landesberg - I see the potential for a Brandon Roy type of all-around 2-guard eventually with some more seasoning. And that's not to say he can't play in the league right now as is because he can. Big, smooth, skilled offensive guard that can score in a variety of ways. Enough talent to play and contribute in the NBA right away with the potential to really become something special. I really think he's gonna be a good one. Might be the best kept secret in the entire draft. He's from NY too. Similar to my thoughts on Warren -- if the Knicks like him, I wanna see them move up to go get him.

Craig Brackins - Had a down year for whatever reason compared to his previous season but make no mistake, this guy is a very gifted big forward. I've thought so ever since I saw him light up Cole Aldrich & Kansas last year for 40-something points...Post up, mid-range, 3s -- he can even put it on the floor and take his man off the dribble. Really reminds me of Kevin Durant a lot when I look at him. Excellent potential offensively and also a solid rebounder with a little shot-blocking ability as well. I could see him being a go-to guy offensively in the NBA. I'd say the ceiling is something close to Durant (obviously a Durant lite) with a worst case of Al Harrington. That ain't too shabby. Another guy draft.net has way too low imo (they have him going 44 to Portland) -- this guy definitely has 1st round talent..

Secondary Choices

Greivis Vasquez - He has some deficiencies (some of which he's worked real hard to improve upon this year, like his shooting which is now respectable) but I really like the overall package -- 6'6" ball-handler, intense, passes it well, rebounds, he can score & he's a leader. Very versatile guard for the backcourt -- I just feel like he'd be a real good glue guy, a guy you really want in the trenches with you going to war. I'd love to add him. I think he could mesh well with anyone else we decide to bring in.

Larry Sanders/Jarvis Varnado/Daniel Orton - If all of the above choices are off the board, I say go get one of these shot-blocking machines to address & improve interior defense. At least we wouldn't have to worry too much about that glaring problem anymore. Orton's the most intriguing of the 3 -- he's just as tall as these other two, probably more skilled and he's a good 40 lbs. heavier..

AJ Ogilvy/Art Parakhouski - Ogilvy had a disappointing sophomore season but I still like him (if he put up better numbers he wouldn't even be around where we're picking) -- About 6'11", legit center with some nice offensive skills around the basket. If we succeed in re-tooling the rest of the roster, this guy wouldn't have to come in a be some kind of savior a-la Patrick Ewing, just a nice big skilled presence to add in the middle. Look at the way Nenad Krstic played today against the Lakers - the stat line didn't show much but in his 20 mins of play, he definitely held his own out there against Gasol & Bynum. I think Ogilvy could fill a similar role, maybe amount to something more...Parakhouski had a very productive season for Radford University - maybe not as skilled offensively as Ogilvy but he's a big presence in the middle that, like AJ, could be enough of a factor at the 5 if we substantially upgraded some of the other positions. Parakhouski has really nice foot speed in the open floor -- a nice attribute to bring to the party should we ever get around to playing more of the uptempo style our coach wants to play... I don't think you necessarily need a star at the 5, just a big enough presence that can contribute..Either of these guys would give us the legit center presence we've been lacking. Both would be nice guys to add with later picks in this draft.

Sherron Collins - He's not in Willie Warren's class but he's a nice little PG that's done nothing but succeed at the college level. Quick, can get in the lane, shows leadership, can set up his teammates and he's a nice shooter from distance. 5'11" is a little undersized but his above average strength helps him compensate and make up some of the difference. We're gonna need to add a PG here to go along with Douglas -- if everything else fails, a Collins/Douglas tandem at the point wouldn't be terrible for next year. Cost effective too -- Unless the FAs we're interested in are of star quality, I'd much rather add draft choices over anything else..My thing is, why add semi-expensive middle-of-the-road FA talent when you can add younger, cheaper players through the draft that are just as good? CJ Watson, Shannon Brown, Antonie Wright, Sonny Weems, Al Harrington, Tracy McGrady, Earl Barron, etc.. -- these guys are gonna look to get payed.. I like all of these players but if you really think about it, why overpay for these guys and chew up cap when we can add players through the draft that are just as good (on low 1st/second round contracts)?? Not saying it'll be easy to acquire multiple 1st rounders, it probably won't be, but make every effort to explore the draft first - I wanna see them acquire as may picks as possible..If some of these low 1st rounders are for sale, I wanna see Donnie trade up for as many of them as possible...That's the way to go for us imo --- if we can't land any of the big FAs, I wanna see them use the cap room wisely. Build up the roster through the draft rather than throw valuable cap money at mediocre free agents. I'm really interested in keeping a majority of our cap money open for star players at this time, either for this summer or beyond. Nothing wrong with carrying a bulk of our cap room over to the following year if we can't get what we want this summer. Why blow it on 3rd, 4th & 5th choices, esp. if those players aren't difference makers???

Wayne Chism - Similar player to Brackins just not as big and probably not as skilled as well. Still a very nice inside/outside PF though. Very intense competitor on a team that had some nice success this year (big wins against top-seeded Kansas and Kentucky at home during the regular season and a good run in the tournament) -- he was a big part of it. Reminds me a lot of Al Harrington.

Quincy Pondexter - 6'6"+ 220 lb. SG really improved a ton this year. Big physical wing that can score, rebound and defend.

Trevor Booker - Another guy that disappointed this year yet a player I still hold in pretty high regard. His length & solid base more than make up for the fact that he's slightly undersized at 6'7". Intense & athletic, he can score, rebound & play some tough D.

Jamelle Horne - I really like this kid's ability but I think he'll be going back to Arizona for his senior year to continue to improve & become the man there next to newcomer Derrick Williams (these were basically the only two bright spots for the Wildcats this year -- both need to get the bulk of the shot attempts next season). If Horne decides to come out though, I'm interested. 6'7" athletic run & jump 2-way SG/SF that really showed a very accurate touch from behind the arc on a good number of attempts (50-115, 43.5%).

Not including guys who may slip.

Finestrg wrote:Let me preface by saying I want the Knicks to do what they have to do to come away with at least 3 rotation players in this draft. Here are my choices in order as of right now (trying to keep it reasonable considering rumors, player stock, where they're projected to go & our draft position):

Top Targets (guys that have the potential to be stars/players I'd be interested in moving up a little to get)

Willie Warren - let's hope his stock continues to stay low throughout the process & we have a shot, although I can't for the life of me see him falling as low as what nbadraft.net is predicting (they have him going 43 to the Lakers). That's nuts - there's just too much talent there. I think the potential's there for a Derrick Rose/Russell Westbrook/Stephon Marbury type PG here. And hey, if that doesn't pan out and he turns out to be something closer to Rodney Stuckey, that wouldn't be the end of the world -- I actually like Stuckey. I've read about Ben Gordon comparisons & I just don't see that. Gordon is a scorer. 100% scorer..With Warren, I see the ability to not only score the ball but run a team as well - big difference....Point is to me it'd be worth a trade up into the lower 1st round to find out. I never even pictured him as a possibility for us until a week or two ago..

Sylven Landesberg - I see the potential for a Brandon Roy type of all-around 2-guard eventually with some more seasoning. And that's not to say he can't play in the league right now as is because he can. Big, smooth, skilled offensive guard that can score in a variety of ways. Enough talent to play and contribute in the NBA right away with the potential to really become something special. I really think he's gonna be a good one. Might be the best kept secret in the entire draft. He's from NY too. Similar to my thoughts on Warren -- if the Knicks like him, I wanna see them move up to go get him.

Craig Brackins - Had a down year for whatever reason compared to his previous season but make no mistake, this guy is a very gifted big forward. I've thought so ever since I saw him light up Cole Aldrich & Kansas last year for 40-something points...Post up, mid-range, 3s -- he can even put it on the floor and take his man off the dribble. Really reminds me of Kevin Durant a lot when I look at him. Excellent potential offensively and also a solid rebounder with a little shot-blocking ability as well. I could see him being a go-to guy offensively in the NBA. I'd say the ceiling is something close to Durant (obviously a Durant lite) with a worst case of Al Harrington. That ain't too shabby. Another guy draft.net has way too low imo (they have him going 44 to Portland) -- this guy definitely has 1st round talent..

Secondary Choices

Greivis Vasquez - He has some deficiencies (some of which he's worked real hard to improve upon this year, like his shooting which is now respectable) but I really like the overall package -- 6'6" ball-handler, intense, passes it well, rebounds, he can score & he's a leader. Very versatile guard for the backcourt -- I just feel like he'd be a real good glue guy, a guy you really want in the trenches with you going to war. I'd love to add him. I think he could mesh well with anyone else we decide to bring in.

Larry Sanders/Jarvis Varnado/Daniel Orton - If all of the above choices are off the board, I say go get one of these shot-blocking machines to address & improve interior defense. At least we wouldn't have to worry too much about that glaring problem anymore. Orton's the most intriguing of the 3 -- he's just as tall as these other two, probably more skilled and he's a good 40 lbs. heavier..

AJ Ogilvy/Art Parakhouski - Ogilvy had a disappointing sophomore season but I still like him (if he put up better numbers he wouldn't even be around where we're picking) -- About 6'11", legit center with some nice offensive skills around the basket. If we succeed in re-tooling the rest of the roster, this guy wouldn't have to come in a be some kind of savior a-la Patrick Ewing, just a nice big skilled presence to add in the middle. Look at the way Nenad Krstic played today against the Lakers - the stat line didn't show much but in his 20 mins of play, he definitely held his own out there against Gasol & Bynum. I think Ogilvy could fill a similar role, maybe amount to something more...Parakhouski had a very productive season for Radford University - maybe not as skilled offensively as Ogilvy but he's a big presence in the middle that, like AJ, could be enough of a factor at the 5 if we substantially upgraded some of the other positions. Parakhouski has really nice foot speed in the open floor -- a nice attribute to bring to the party should we ever get around to playing more of the uptempo style our coach wants to play... I don't think you necessarily need a star at the 5, just a big enough presence that can contribute..Either of these guys would give us the legit center presence we've been lacking. Both would be nice guys to add with later picks in this draft.

Sherron Collins - He's not in Willie Warren's class but he's a nice little PG that's done nothing but succeed at the college level. Quick, can get in the lane, shows leadership, can set up his teammates and he's a nice shooter from distance. 5'11" is a little undersized but his above average strength helps him compensate and make up some of the difference. We're gonna need to add a PG here to go along with Douglas -- if everything else fails, a Collins/Douglas tandem at the point wouldn't be terrible for next year. Cost effective too -- Unless the FAs we're interested in are of star quality, I'd much rather add draft choices over anything else..My thing is, why add semi-expensive middle-of-the-road FA talent when you can add younger, cheaper players through the draft that are just as good? CJ Watson, Shannon Brown, Antonie Wright, Sonny Weems, Al Harrington, Tracy McGrady, Earl Barron, etc.. -- these guys are gonna look to get payed.. I like all of these players but if you really think about it, why overpay for these guys and chew up cap when we can add players through the draft that are just as good (on low 1st/second round contracts)?? Not saying it'll be easy to acquire multiple 1st rounders, it probably won't be, but make every effort to explore the draft first - I wanna see them acquire as may picks as possible..If some of these low 1st rounders are for sale, I wanna see Donnie trade up for as many of them as possible...That's the way to go for us imo --- if we can't land any of the big FAs, I wanna see them use the cap room wisely. Build up the roster through the draft rather than throw valuable cap money at mediocre free agents. I'm really interested in keeping a majority of our cap money open for star players at this time, either for this summer or beyond. Nothing wrong with carrying a bulk of our cap room over to the following year if we can't get what we want this summer. Why blow it on 3rd, 4th & 5th choices, esp. if those players aren't difference makers???

Wayne Chism - Similar player to Brackins just not as big and probably not as skilled as well. Still a very nice inside/outside PF though. Very intense competitor on a team that had some nice success this year (big wins against top-seeded Kansas and Kentucky at home during the regular season and a good run in the tournament) -- he was a big part of it. Reminds me a lot of Al Harrington.

Quincy Pondexter - 6'6"+ 220 lb. SG really improved a ton this year. Big physical wing that can score, rebound and defend.

Trevor Booker - Another guy that disappointed this year yet a player I still hold in pretty high regard. His length & solid base more than make up for the fact that he's slightly undersized at 6'7". Intense & athletic, he can score, rebound & play some tough D.

Jamelle Horne - I really like this kid's ability but I think he'll be going back to Arizona for his senior year to continue to improve & become the man there next to newcomer Derrick Williams (these were basically the only two bright spots for the Wildcats this year -- both need to get the bulk of the shot attempts next season). If Horne decides to come out though, I'm interested. 6'7" athletic run & jump 2-way SG/SF that really showed a very accurate touch from behind the arc on a good number of attempts (50-115, 43.5%).

honestly, this seems highly unlikely. 3 rotation players? how often does that happen for any team?

maybe via trades on draft day, but we could barely get one from 2 first round picks, while this year we don't even have 1.

PresIke wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Let me preface by saying I want the Knicks to do what they have to do to come away with at least 3 rotation players in this draft.

wow, really? you surely must be in the minority on this.

honestly, this seems highly unlikely. 3 rotation players? how often does that happen for any team?

maybe via trades on draft day, but we could barely get one from 2 first round picks, while this year we don't even have 1.

"wow, really? you surely must be in the minority on this." -- That's OK. I'm in the minority on a lot of topics on this board. Fine with me...Bottom line on this particular topic - I'm a big proponent of utilizing the draft. Always have been, always will be...I look at this year's draft as our 1 really big opportunity to make a splash & make the team that much more attractive to the big FAs right before free agency starts -- if I'm Donnie, I'd be looking to do as much as a can with it. I believe a team that added 3 of the players I discussed will go a long way in convincing a FA to come here. We really didn't give up much to acquire the Laker pick last year that we turned into Toney Douglas --- cash & a future 2. I fail to see why we can't do the same thing this year - up to 3 times possibly, maybe with 3 separate teams. Why the hell not??? We have an owner who's just raking it in despite the team being poor for years not to mention he saved a ton of money when the league just ruled on the Cuttino Mobley situation not too long ago. The owner saved at least $10 million on Mobley recently. I wanna see most of that money pumped back into the team, not in this man's pockets. NY Knick fans are as loyal as they come & continue to sell out the Garden despite the poor performance of the team for years now. This off-season is very unique. With possibly the biggest FA class to come down the pike in quite some time, I wanna see the team pull out all the stops and do what they have to do to make the team as attractive & competitive as humanly possible and it'll involve spending some money..Donnie needs to convince Dolan it'll be money well spent..I think we deserve that don't you? With the recent cap development (it looks like it should be closer to $56+ million, not $50-53), the cap room should be there for 2 big FAs along with cap holds for 3, possibly 4 draft picks.

I believe every player I've identified here is not only talented but could be a rotation player for us. Heck, I think the top three players I mentioned could be stars...They're also cost effective when compared to what middle-of-the-road FAs will be looking for. I didn't even bother talking about players that are projected to go much higher -- if we can do something to swing a lottery pick, great -- of course I'm open to that, but I just tried to concentrate on players that might be on the board when we pick in the 2nd round and/or players we might have a chance to move up into the lower 1st round to get. Players within range & within reason...Moving up to secure a pick in the 25-30 range seems more realistic and doable to me than acquiring a lottery pick at this point. Hey, you never know though. Maybe guys like Chandler, Gallinari and/or Toney Douglas will be in play here...I want my team to explore every option, leaving no stone unturned...

"maybe via trades on draft day..." -- That's the idea.

"...we could barely get one from 2 first round picks" -- Both Hill and Douglas are rotation players that should've been established & utilized by the coach much earlier in the season, right from day 1 in fact (Hill was never really established at all as an NBA player despite his plus size and obvious talent, only until he got to Houston). I think we're all in agreement here.

"...this year we don't even have 1." -- I don't know man, is it really that much of a stretch to say we can't find a few teams that'll be open to the idea of trading a low 1? I don't think so. It happens ever year. Teams that are strapped for cash, teams that have multiple picks, teams that would prefer to have a non-guaranteed 2 as opposed to a guaranteed lower 1, teams that simply don't have the room on their roster to add additional picks, etc...We have a boatload of cash, 2 2nd round picks and future 2s to work with --- get it done. Make that splash. Show everyone we mean business...

crzymdups wrote:yeah, if Camby is gone, it'd be nice to try to chase Whiteside.

I don't think this guy's attainable for us. I think he goes top 5, maybe top 3-4, if he doesn't go back to Marshall for another year. If he comes out, he very well could go 1st overall... Chandler & Gallinari combined might not be enough to move up high enough to get him.