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11:23- hanging with @thenational… “who?”

9:57- Jenkins to the Hawks? They ready to deal?

8:20- mocks imploding

7:39- After 40 minutes of chatter… Anthony Davis goes #1.

4:46- Bird Rights update!!

3:34- All quiet on the Knicks front possibly a sign of things to come for tonight… In the meantime enjoy this selection from Seth Davis. Pay particular attention to what a scout said about DJO.

12:43 (Spurs looking for roster space?)

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/218370280664465408"]

9:57

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1/status/218236923641208832"]

Let more confusion begin. The Knicks, it is my understanding, cannot purchase a pick like they did with Jorts last year. But it appears they can make a trade for a deal if salaries match. 

As we creep closer to tonight’s draft, the Knicks have played everything close to the vest. You’d have to think that they will try and be active tonight and we will be on top of the trades and rumors all day long.

Here’s my top 5 realistic picks at 48 based on critical scouting and talking to folks around the league.

1. Darius Johnson-Odom
2. Kim English
3. Mike Scott
4. Kevin Jones
5. Rakim Sanders

The final Draftexpress and NBADraft.net mocks are set and here are the results.

DX- Kris Middleton 6’8 SF Texas A&M

 NBADraft.net- Justin Hamilton 7’0 C LSU

Via Sheridanhoops

In the NBA draft, teams often default to selecting the “best player available.” They do that assuming the player will develop as projected and become an asset that allows for flexibility.

However, sometimes those “best players” end up languishing behind an established veteran and never live up to expectations.

It comes down to a simple truism: Players who land in the right situations often have the best chance to succeed.

For example, the New York Knicks needed an explosive athlete who could defend the perimeter, a role that Iman Shumpert filled for them rather quickly. The same can be said for Kawhi Leonard, who stepped into the rotation of the San Antonio Spurs through a draft-day deal with the Indiana Pacers and became an impact rookie this season. more. 

Via Knicks PR

The NY Knicks will conduct predraft workouts at MSG Training Center on Monday with the following players:

•Oscar Bellfield, G, 6-2, 190, Nevada-Las Vegas, Senior

• Marcus Denmon, G, 6-3, 185, Missouri, Senior

• Harouna, Mutombo, G, 6-4, 200, Western Carolina, Senior

• Erving Walker, G, 5-8, 177, Florida State, Senior

Via Knicks PR

The NY Knicks will conduct predraft workouts at MSG Training Center on Thursday with the following players:

• Quincy Acy, F, 6-7, 235, Baylor, Senior
• Kim English, G, 6-6, 200, Missouri, Senior
• Chris Johnson, F, 6-6, 201, Dayton, Senior
• Greg Mangano, F, 6-10, 240, Yale, Senior
• Tony Mitchell, F, 6-6, 220, Alabama, Junior
• Hollis Thompson, F, 6-8, 212, Georgetown, Junior

English is the one who stands out here. He had a strong showing at Portsmouth and has the size, skill and shooting abilityto be a rotation player for the Knicks right away.

For more on English, click here.

Via Sheridanhoops

Lamb falls under the category of “tweener,” but the guy can stroke it and is very athletic. Lamb would be a perfect fit for a playoff team looking for a bench scorer to play off of a post player. If the Knicks could somehow figure a way to match him with Carmelo Anthony, they would make a vast improvement in Mike Woodson’s halfcourt, plodding, post-heavy style. He’s a first-round talent that needs a “share first” point guard and solid post player to make a great impact in year one. It would appear the Knicks have both in Anthony and Jeremy Lin.

Can the Knicks move up to a position to draft Lamb or Jenkins? Don’t know the answer to that, but if they stay at 48 the rest of these players should be available and really good value.

June is an exciting month for me because I get to submit all my homework that I’ve done over the course of the basketball season. Admittedly, it’s impossible for me to have seen every prospect but I make my valuations based on Knicks needs at the time. Last year, the Knicks needed up front help which they addressed in Tyson Chandler and not in the draft where they decided to address another need: athleticism and perimeter defense.

This year the Knicks need shooters and depth/athleticism up front. They need a player at 48 who can play or challenge rotation positions immediately.

The NBA draft combine had some interesting tidbits and our friend Jon Wasserman points out, especially positive news about TKB favorite John Jenkins. 

The question becomes what do the Knicks do at 48? Multiple sources have told me that Glen Grunwald is thinking taking the “best available” player, which is always wise assuming that player isn’t the best available who is represented by a certain agency. I hear the Knicks are also shopping Landry Fields, but the direction of the organization seriously hinges on the Lin/Novak hearing.

Let’s look around the mock drafts.

NBAdraft.net has the Knicks taking an interesting prospect and one that I don’t know much about- Oregon State’s Jared Cunningham. Word is he’s very athletic and sports a thin frame, but did have a solid season and a strong finish this year before declaring early.

Draftexpress has the Knicks on DJO, who some think is undersized. I think he’s a perfect eastern conference guard. He plays strong with confidence and with an edge, and apparently has disdain for the media. Cool.

MyNBADraft and NBA Draft Insider have the Knicks going SG as well in Ohio State’s William Buford. I like this pick because Buford one was of the best role players on a very good Buckeye team with Jared Sullinger featured in the post. The Knicks will feature Carmelo Anthony in the post extensively, and Buford is a great catch and shoot option. He made 215 three pointers in his career and has great size at the position. He’s not overly athletic but in a slower paced offense that isn’t essential in my opinion.

Again, I can’t say I know enough about about Cunningham, but I’d be very happy with Buford or DJO.