Knicks Draft: Any Room on the Bench in New York?

Trivia question: Which is the only NBA team to miss the playoffs each of the past two seasons and not have one lottery pick to show for it?

Okay, that was too easy.

As a result, the Knicks will once again watch the already-superior Chicago Bulls get better on draft day.

This year, the Bulls pick up the ninth selection in a deep draft, while the Knicks are rewarded for Chicago's 49-win season with the 23rd overall choice.

It's still too early to say Chicago committed grand larceny—but it's certainly looking that way. Last year's swap of picks netted the Bulls Tyrus Thomas, who had a nice playoff run after a slow start.

Isiah, meanwhile, believes he can gamble at 23, having already used a technicality to nab 6'10" Randolph Morris from the University of Kentucky immediately after the NCAA Tournament.

The Morris pickup essentially gives the Knicks their sixth power forward—a low-risk move that's not likely to do much for the team's fortunes.

It's difficult to say what the plan is in Madison Square Garden—or if one exists at all. Thomas has said it's not possible to rebuild in New York...only to make frequent use of the R-word after assuming coaching duties himself...before reversing course again to make pitches for this or that disgruntled superstar, despite knowing that the Knicks' youngsters are their only trade-worthy commodities.

Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Rashard Lewis, and Kevin Garnett have all been mentioned as targets. Given this regime's penchant for quick fixes, expect Isiah to be busy on the phones, even if nothing is accomplished.

Speaking of accomplishing nothing: Thomas used the 20th pick in last year's draft to select South Carolina SF Renaldo Balkman, a 6'8" bundle of energy with no offensive skills to speak of.

Balkman was a perfect fit in New York, where he joined a roster already littered with one-dimensional players.

Bad teams can't generally afford to use their first-round picks on "hustle" players.

The second round of last year's draft yielded several frontcourt energy players who were every bit as effective as Balkman: Boston's Leon Powe, Minnesota's Craig Smith, and Utah's Paul Millsap come to mind. It's worth noting that the Knicks also drafted Balkman, a high-flying, offensively-limited fan favorite, in 2004; his name was Trevor Ariza then.

Towards the end of the 2005-06 campaign, the Knicks traded Ariza and an expiring contract named Penny Hardaway for Steve Francis and his albatross salary. That move gave New York $35 million worth of subpar point guard in the persons of Francis and Stephon Marbury, both of whom are pretty useless unless they're dominating the ball.

And of course the Knicks didn't go after Marcus Williams or Rajan Rondo in the 2006 draft...because they already had too many point guards.

With last year's 29th pick, the Knicks did select defensive-minded PG Mardy Collins, but he's probably a career backup at best. 

In the 2007 draft, the Knicks will likely look for a perimeter shooter to complement the oft-injured Quentin Richardson. The names tossed around have been Morris Almond of Rice, Daequan Cook of Ohio State, and, ironically, Marcus Williams of Arizona.

New York would also do well to consider Syracuse's Demetris Nichols, UNC's Reyshawn Terry, or Marco Bellinelli from Italy—though the latter would run counter to Isiah's apparent disdain for European players.

Despite the Knicks' power-forward glut, they may look to add a shot-blocking interior presence to backup or play alongside the defensively-challenged Curry. Boston College's Sean Williams, who will likely be available at 23 due to some off-court issues, has been mentioned.

As for point guard, the Knicks apparently feel comfortable with 11-year veteran Marbury ("I'm adjusting to looking to pass the ball inside first") running the show.

Scary. 

 

Barring a deal (or more buyouts), there won't be much court time for this year's draftee. The veteran-laden lineup looks set: Curry—who contrary to popular belief didn't so much "have a career year" as he just finally showed up in shape and had the luxury of playing for a coach who overlooked his defensive deficiencies—at center; Marbury and Jamal "7-for-19" Crawford at guard;  Jared Jeffries and either Channing Frye or David Lee at forward.

 

That leaves Nate Robinson, Richardson, Balkman, Francis, Collins, and the non-starter at power forward all vying for minutes. Therein lies the problem for any Knicks rookie: No PT to be had on a team with a combined 56 wins over the last two season, only the chance to take Kelvin Cato's spot on the roster.