2011 NBA Mock Draft: Top Targets for the New York Knicks

New York Knicks Narrowing Wish List Before 2011 NBA Draft

With Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups on board, the pressure is mounting on the New York Knicks front office to put together a roster that can compete for championships now and in the near future.

Though Billups, at 34, is in the twilight of his career, the Knicks still have Anthony (27) and Stoudemire (28) just venturing into their respective primes, ratcheting up the stakes for a shaken-up front office in New York to get it right with the 17th-overall pick.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks would ideally like to add Washington State's Klay Thompson, a big shooting guard who reminds outgoing general manager Donnie Walsh of a young Reggie Miller.

Of course, Knicks fans are acutely aware of how Miller, who was selected at #11 in the 1987 NBA Draft, worked out for the Indiana Pacers.

However, most draftniks expect Thompson to be off the board before New York has a shot at him, perhaps as early as seventh to the Sacramento Kings. The Knicks would also love to have a shot at Florida State's Chris Singleton, a defensive stopper at small forward, but he, like Thompson, will likely be gone well before the Knicks get a look at him.

Here, then, are a few of the most realistic prospects New York will target on its big board:

Josh Selby, Kansas

The freshman guard from Kansas is an explosive scorer with some serious hops who can be groomed to fill Billups' shoes when the veteran point guard decides to call it quits.

Nikola Vucevic, USC

At 6'10", Vucevic is a skilled European big man who can provide an exceptionally thin Knicks front line with an instant dose of size and depth.

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State

Known for his toughness and rebounding ability, Faried was a no-brainer for the Knicks at #17 before he measured in at just 6'6" and struggled offensively at the draft combine in Chicago.

Marshon Brooks, Providence

Brooks has shot further and further up draft boards of late with his impressive workouts. The Indiana Pacers have shown some serious interest in the 6'5" guard at #15, though he'd be a perfect fit in Mike D'Antoni's back court.

Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA

Honeycutt is still quite raw, but at 6'6" and with a ton of bounce in his step, the sophomore from UCLA has a ton of upside and may make Landry Fields look like a poor man's version of himself.

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