NBA Draft 2011: 7 Prospects the New York Knicks Must Target at No. 17

Although they were swept in the opening round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks showed a ton of promise, led by Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. The Knicks kept it close in three contests and may have stolen two games in Boston had Billups not been injured.

Knicks fans should not dwell on the sweep and instead must embrace the bright future. With their three superstars returning, the Knicks can now add pieces to a solid group to compete for a Championship in 2011-2012.

With only one selection in this year’s draft, the No. 17 overall pick, the Knicks must target a player who can contribute immediately if they want to win the NBA Title next season.

7. Bismack Biyombo, Congo F

Mike D’Antoni, and whichever coach lands Bismack Biyombo, will hope that he can have the same type of impact Serge Ibaka is having in Oklahoma City for the Thunder.

Bismack Biyombo has immense athleticism and should be an extreme force on the defensive side of the court. The Knicks desperately need a hustle player of his caliber, and his intensity and athleticism may even allow D’Antoni to play him at the center position to keep Amar’e Stoudemire at the power forward slot. He has fantastic leaping ability and will bang in the paint to pull down every single rebound. This is the type of player New York desperately needs in the paint—a nonstop motor who will do the dirty work.

I expect him to be gone by the time the Knicks select, but if he falls to No. 17, New York needs to take a long, hard look at this potentially supreme talent.

6. Chris Singleton, Florida State F

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 25: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts during the southwest regional of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams at the Alamodome on March 25, 2011 in San Antonio, Tex

Although the Knicks already have Carmelo Anthony at the small forward position, the Knicks need defense and Chris Singleton is one of the premier shutdown perimeter defenders in the class.

He would be able to come in off the bench to irritate some of the top offensive scorers in the game. In a conference with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and the rest of the elite offensive threats, the Knicks need to buckle down and play defense when it counts.

Defenders like Singleton quickly adjust to the Association and on this team, he wouldn’t be asked to do much scoring. He’ll have time to hone his offensive skills while still playing a major role on the defensive side of the court.

5. Reggie Jackson, Boston College PG

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 11: Reggie Jackson #0 of the Boston College Eagles moves the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half in the quarterfinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2011 in Gr

Mike D’Antoni is always looking for scorers in his offense. With Chauncey Billups expected to start at the point, Reggie Jackson would be an explosive offensive force off the bench as the sixth man.

He somehow has a seven-foot wingspan and has greatly improved his shooting touch and range. In this offensive system, he would excel with his catch-and-shoot ability. He is willing to attack the rim, which will work well with Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony on the floor, because he will be able to quickly dish the rock to one of them as the defense looks to impede his path to the basket.

4. Jordan Williams, Maryland C

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 10: Jordan Williams #20 of the Maryland Terrapins looks on while playing against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first round of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 10, 2011 in G

The Knicks desperately need a quality rebounding and defensive center to plug in the middle. This would allow Mike D’Antoni to keep Amar’e Stoudemire at the power forward position, which will allow him to dominate this league with the mismatch he creates for the rest of the power forwards in this league.

Jordan Williams is a big, strong force in the middle and will be able to control the glass and thus the pace of the game. He is a prime fit for this team with his remarkable rebounding skills. Furthermore, he has a nice touch around the rim, which will pay dividends for the rest of the team.

The major concern would be his work ethic and ability to keep up in this fast paced offense. One would have to hope that heading to New York, he will view Stoudemire as a mentor and understand that he has the chance to achieve greatness and would work on his conditioning.

3. Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania C

The Knicks need a center to keep Amar’e Stoudemire at the power forward position. They were forced to trade Timofey Mozgov to the Denver Nuggets, which wasn’t a big loss at all.

They could draft another overseas big man, but this time one who is not nearly as raw. Donatas Motiejunas has a high-basketball IQ, which will greatly assist his transition to the Association.

The most important aspects of his game for the Knicks in Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced offensive system is that he can run the floor and will attack the basket. The Knicks may not need another scorer, but it is always a luxury when you can find a big man who can put the rock through the net.

He needs to hit the weight room, especially since he’ll be banging in the paint with the likes of Dwight Howard and the rest of the powerful centers of the league. That will come with time, at least for now the Knicks continue to put points on the board at every position.

2. Nolan Smith, Duke PG

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball while taking on the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North C

It remains to be seen how much Chauncey Billups has left in the tank, and it’s not a guarantee that the Knicks will get Chris Paul or Deron Williams to lead the charge.

Nolan Smith was fantastic at Duke last season and looks like he can be a quality NBA point guard. He is an experienced, proven point guard who has the high-basketball IQ to lead this team deep in the playoffs.

He is an efficient passer and does not need to dominate the ball, which is exactly the type of point guard New York needs in Mike D’Antoni’s system. He’ll be able to learn from one of the best point guards of the past decade in Billups.

1. Kenneth Faried, Morehead State PF

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DAYTON, OH - MARCH 20: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Morehead State Eagles drives to the hoop against the Louisville Cardinals during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 20, 2009 in Day

Kenneth Faried may be the best player the Knicks can grab at this position. Although I expect him to be taken earlier, if he were to fall to No. 17, he would be a steal the Knicks shouldn’t think twice about.

He will bring the intensity down low on the boards and on the defensive side of the ball that the Knicks are desperately seeking. The Knicks would be forced to move Amar’e Stoudemire to the center position to make room for Faried at the power forward position, but it would be worth it to insert him into the starting lineup.

He has a fantastic work ethic and nonstop work ethic, which make him one of the top rebounders in the nation.