NBA Draft 2011: Who Will the Knicks Take with the No. 17 Pick?

It's that time of year, the NBA draft.  This year's class is definitely one of the more exciting classes in the last few years.  Players like Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Enes Kanter, etc., are all expected to have big careers in the NBA.

As us Knick fans know, the biggest needs for this team are defense, rebounding and bench scoring.  Rumors also say that the Knicks may look for their point guard of the future, which could eventually lead up to Dwight Howard coming to the Big Apple in 2012.  However, I don't think the Knicks will pick a point guard, unless Jimmer Fredette slides down to No. 17.

Here's my list of players that the Knicks could most likely select.

Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State

Last month, all speculations pointed to the Knicks selecting Kenneth Faried with the No. 17 pick.  Lately however, Faried has been moving down on the draft boards. 

Faried has one of the best up-sides of this year's class.  He's an excellent rebounder who plays aggressive defense.  He needs to work on his offensive game a little bit more, but he definitely has potential to be a great player in this league.

If players such as Markieff Morris, Klay Thompson, Bismack Biyombo, Nikola Vucevic and Josh Selby are already taken, don't be surprised if the Knicks select Faried.

Chris Singleton, SF Florida State

Chris Singleton could be the best perimeter defender in the draft.  He has a huge up-side compared to a lot of other players.  He also has a solid offensive game that comes with a decent jump shot.  If Singleton is still there when the Knicks pick, I think he'll be in a Knick uniform next year.

Jimmer Fredette, PG Brigham Young University

Jimmer Fredette wants to be a Knick, at least according to many sources.  The national player of the year from last year has gone through a few workouts with the Knicks. According to him, he feels he can do special things in the Big Apple because of the way he fits into the offensive system. 

He grew up a Knick fan, and many sources around the league say the Knicks love Jimmer.  If he slides past Utah and Phoenix, don't be shocked if the Knicks trade up to get him as their point guard of the future.

Josh Selby, G Kansas

Josh Selby is an explosive scorer who could very well be a great player in the NBA.  He has reportedly been talking to Carmelo Anthony about possibly being drafted by the Knicks.  Him and Carmelo are great friends and would love to team up.  Selby would be a great addition to that Knick bench and would love being in the backcourt with Chauncey Billups and Landry Fields.

Markieff Morris, PF Kansas

The Knicks have had a lot of interest in Markieff Morris, mainly because of his ability to defend and rebound the basketball.  Many indications point to him being selected by Philadelphia one pick before the Knicks, but if he slides down, Morris has a great chance of playing in the Big Apple.

Bismack Biyombo, PF/C Congo

I wasn't able to find a picture of Bismack Biyombo, but I'm sure all basketball fans have heard of him.  Lately, there have been many rumors that said the Knicks may be very aggressive and move up in the draft in order to get Biyombo.

He's arguably the most aggressive defender in this draft and has a lot of up-side.  He would be a huge addition to the Knicks because of his interior defense and rebounding. 

In my opinion, the most likely scenario in the draft for the Knicks is that they move up to pick Biyombo.  They would most likely have to swap picks with the Charlotte Bobcats in order for this to happen.

Biyombo could very well be in a Knicks uniform next year.