The NBA Draft is quickly approaching, and the New York Knicks and team president Phil Jackson are looking to get into the conversation.
This almost feels like the co-worker who can’t get close enough to the water cooler in order to take part in the conversation. It feels like that, because the Knicks currently don’t have a draft pick.
But that’s not stopping them from seeing what’s available.
Jackson, entering his first draft as Knicks president, doesn’t have a draft pick in either round but is looking to buy or trade for at least one — possibly late in the first round.
According to a source, Florida center Patric Young, who averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds as a senior, worked out for Jackson this month and impressed. The 6-foot-10, 245-pounder is considered an early second-round pick but his stock appears to be rising. An ESPN.com mock draft had him at No. 30.
Jackson is also very hot on North Carolina shooting guard P.J. Hairston, projected as a late first-rounder. Jackson has interest, too, in Syracuse point guard Tyler Ennis late in the first round. Ennis wouldn’t work out for the Knicks; some see him as a late lottery pick.
Young could be a solid pick for the Knicks. If there is anytime to explore what can be acquired for Iman Shumpert it’s now.
