Knicks 2008 Draft Preview Part I

NEW YORK — The Knicks have the number 6 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Every day this week on Knickscast.com we will highlight a few players the Knicks may consider in this year’s draft. Here’s a look at two players they might take.

  Danilo Gallinari

Position: Small Forward

College: European Leagues

Height: 6′9″

Weight: 209 lbs.

07-08 Stats: 17.5 PPG, 46% FG, 40.5% 3PT, 6.7 RPG

The Skinny: The #1 ranked international basketball player, Danilo has size at the small forward position and can shoot the three. The 19-year old was a proven scorer in the Italian and European basketball leagues. Some say he is better than former #1 draft pick Andrew Bargnani.

Strengths: He has good size for his position and he is versatile because he can play multiple positions on the court. What may benefit the Knicks the most, is that he eve though he is just 19-years old, he is mature, has poise, and a good basketball IQ.

Weaknesses: Danilo lacks quickness and explosiveness and needs to be more consistent when shooting the three ball. He also will need to improve on his rebounding.

Good for Knicks?: While Danilo will be the best available player at #6 according to many mock drafts, he may not be the best fit for the Knicks. That’s because he’s not what the Knicks need. With David Lee, Zach Randolph, and Eddy Curry already clogging up the middle, the Knicks would benefit more from a point guard.

D.J. Augustin

Position: Point Guard

College: Texas

Height:  5′ 11″

Weight: 195 lbs.

07-08 Stats: 19.2 PPG, 5.8 APG, 1.2 STLS

The Skinny: Next to Derrick Rose of Memphis, he’s the best point guard in the draft. D.J. has terrific ball-handling skills. He’s a passer and a scorer, has excellent court vision, and is good in transition. He would mesh well with Mike D’Antoni’s offensive minded approach. Augustin is projected to go anywhere from #9 to #15, so the Knicks may have to trade down for him.

Strengths: An excellent ball handler with good speed and the ability to switch gears in transition. D.J. is also a good perimeter scorer and can take defenders off the dribble. D.J. has a terrific basketball IQ too. He’s also a proven winner. D.J. helped lead a very successful basketball team at Texas. His winning attitude could be exactly what the Knicks need.

Weaknesses: He’s a little small at 5′ 10″ and some are worried about his defensive presence. He’s also known to be a streaky shooter.

Good for Knicks?: If the Knicks trade down for him, D.J. would be a nice fit for the Knicks at point guard and would be a logical replacement for Stephon Marbury who is in the last year of his contract. It’s tough to say if other teams will be willing to make the deal on draft day. Let’s face it, with the highest team salary in the league, the Knicks don’t have a lot of bargaining power when it comes to trading some of those hefty salaries.

Check back here often for more of our 2008 Knicks Draft Preview.  Tomorrow, we will break down guards Jerryd Bayless and Eric Gordonn as Knicks draft prospects.