SACRAMENTO – Kings center Vlade Divac said he thinks point guard Milos Vujanic, the Knicks’ 2002 second-round draft pick, could start right away for Don Chaney’s club next season.

“No question,” said Divac, president of Vujanic’s club team in Yugoslavia, Partizann. “The Knicks need that kind of player.”

Comparing him to Steve Nash and calling him “the steal of the draft”, Divac isn’t holding his breath Vujanic will stay in Yugoslavia.

“I’d love to keep him there; our success lies on his game. But if he asked me as a friend, I’d advise him to come after this year,” Divac said.

The Knicks expect Vujanic, averaging 25.8 points, will join them next season, though he has said several times he hasn’t made his final decision. He’s making only $100,000 in Yugoslavia and would have to pay off the team, but the fee may be picked up by the Knicks.