NBA Draft 2012: Undrafted Free Agents New York Knicks Should Call

Going into the 2012 NBA Draft, we knew it was going to be deep with talent. Just how deep? Check out the high quality of this year's class of undrafted free agents.

With Kostas Papanikolaou, the New York Knicks' selection in the draft, not expected to join the team this year, they could use one or two of these undrafted players.

It's likely that the Knicks could find some rotation-quality players in this scrap heap, which will help financially if they want to make a run in free agency at a player like Jason Kidd or Ray Allen with their mid-level exception.

Here are five players who the Knicks should have called at the conclusion of last night's draft, and why they should act fast to sign them before another team does so.

Drew Gordon

As a player expected to go pretty early in the second round, it was a shock to see New Mexico power forward Drew Gordon fall completely out of the draft.

Gordon is an athletic force at power forward and would almost definitely make the final roster if picked up by the Knicks.

The 6'9" forward could be the team's best rebounder, making him a useful addition to a bench that really struggles in that facet of the game.

Update: Gordon has accepted an invitation to summer camp from the Dallas Mavericks, but much like they did with Jeremy Lin in 2010, there's still a chance he could eventually be let go before the season.

Hollis Thompson

With quite a few talented two guards available in the second round, the fall of Georgetown's Hollis Thompson was a little less surprising than that of Drew Gordon.

That said, Thompson is definitely a second-round talent. The Knicks, who need depth at shooting guard, would be wise to at least give him a shot in summer camp.

Though not a particularly great defender in college, Thompson could comfortably guard either shooting guards or small forwards in the NBA, especially under the tutelage of Mike Woodson.

But Thompson's most NBA-ready trait is his outside shot. He already has the range to be a quality three-point specialist.

The Knicks are a team that could use a shot like Thomspon's on the cheap. Bringing in him could allow them to address other needs when veteran free agency comes around.

Kevin Jones

If, as they should be, the Knicks are looking for rebounding, West Virginia forward Kevin Jones is their man.

Even at 6'7", Jones has a long wingspan and a knack for cleaning up the glass on both ends of the floor.

Along with his natural rebounding ability, Jones can handle himself on the offensive end. He has a surprisingly soft shooting touch and pretty good range.

With Lamar Odom on his way to the Clippers and Kostas Papanikolaou remaining in Greece, the Knicks' search for depth at forward needs to continue, and Jones fits the bill.

Scoop Jardine

After breaking his foot in pre-draft workouts, Syracuse point guard Scoop Jardine was expected to go undrafted as he did last night.

Considering their need for point guards, we should expect the Knicks to be among the first to call him.

He's not the perfect prospect, with his lack of athleticism and outside shooting range, but with Toney Douglas the only point guard currently on the roster, he's worth a call.

Jardine's injury will force him to miss the summer league, but inviting him to training camp once he's healed could pay off big-time for the Knicks down the road.

Scott Machado

Iona point guard Scott Machado may just be the best undrafted player available, and he would probably make the roster for any of the NBA's 30 teams.

Machado is a pure point guard, and there are tons of teams that could use last season's NCAA assists leader on their roster.

With spot-up shooters like Steve Novak and Toney Douglas needing a true point guard to join them on the bench, Machado could find himself getting a lot of minutes in New York behind Jeremy Lin.

As a New Yorker himself, it shouldn't be too hard to convince Machado to come to summer camp, but the Knicks should act fast before they lose this great opportunity.

It's not often that talents like this fall out of the top 60.