The consensus prior to the NBA draft lottery was had the Knicks lucked out and won the top pick, they would’ve selected Karl-Anthony Towns.

But in his latest sit-down with author Charley Rosen, recorded in mid-March, team president Phil Jackson said his preference was former Duke forward Jahlil Okafor, not Towns.

“For sure, he’s a better defender than Okafor, but even in the limited minutes he got during the season, Towns was always in foul trouble,” Jackson said. “Also, he’s not very core-strong. Plus, his big feet will make it difficult for him to maneuver through heavy traffic in the paint. I think in four years Towns will be a better NBA player that Okafor, but Okafor is more NBA-ready right now and we need help ASAP.”

Towns, ended up going No. 1 in the draft to the Timberwolves and Okafor was taken third by the 76ers after the Lakers selected point guard D’Angelo Russell at No. 2.

Once the Knicks fell to the fourth pick many felt they would select point guard Emmanuel Mudiay of Dallas, but instead took Kristaps Porzingis.

Jackson liked Mudiay’s game, telling Rosen “the kid is a team player and very talented.”

Jackson seemed to be paying Mudiay, who slipped to the Nuggets at No. 7, a compliment when discussing his decision to play a season of professional basketball in China because his family needed the money instead of attending college at SMU.

“That tells a lot about the young man’s priorities,” Jackson said.

Interestingly, Jackson didn’t mention Porzingis, who would become the Knicks first-round pick. The impressive 7-foot-2 Latvian forward’s name is sure to come in further entries from Rosen.