The day of reckoning has arrived for Knicks general manager Scott Layden.
The former Jazz executive brought to New York three years ago for his drafting expertise gets one last summer to rectify the mess he’s made. It begins for him tonight at the Garden Theatre when he comes to bat at No. 7 with a crack at putting this floundering, once-proud franchise back on track.
What Layden decides to do tonight with the Knicks’ first lottery pick in 16 years will set the tone for their summer reconstruction. Whether Layden uses the pick – Maryland stud Chris Wilcox and Camden sensation Dajuan Wagner are the favorites – or trades up or trades down for an established player stands as his most crucial decision since the Patrick Ewing trade in September 2000.
It’s showtime for Scott.
“We’ve been working countless hours with our staff,” Layden said. “It’s a very important pick for our organization. We have gone to great lengths to make sure we have the information to make the best decision we can.”
No team in the league has worked harder on this lottery pick than the Knicks. But it’s about time Layden’s hard work pays dividends, creates a brighter future and restores some of the credibility he’s lost since leaving Utah. A raw, athletic, speedy big-man such as Wilcox, 19, may not be high-impact next season, and may even struggle for minutes with Clarence Weatherspoon because he needs to get stronger at defending the post. But at least he’ll create hope, and that’s what the franchise needs.
In every interview he grants, Layden mentions the excitement of trying to improve the team. But none of the decisions he made in the 2001 summer of disgrace improved the club, starting with his two second-round busts, Michael Wright and Eric Chenowith, that triggered last summer’s stench.
If Wilcox is not available, the Knicks likely will snatch Wagner over flavor-of-the-day Brazilian big man Nene Hilario, despite their guard glut. Wagner is more prepared to see minutes than Wilcox because he has an explosive first step and scoring potential, and probably can steal time from Shandon Anderson because the Knicks need pop off the bench.
If it’s Wagner, they will address the size issue during free agency when they bid for Toronto restricted free agent Keon Clark while looking into a trade for the Sonics’ Vin Baker.
Cleveland at No. 6 holds the key to the Knicks’ plans. The Cavs may trade the pick to either the Bucks, the Clippers or the Suns, with Wilcox a possibility for all three teams. If the Cavs keep the pick, they’re now leaning toward Wagner to brace them for an Andre Miller summer trade.
Despite thorough research on his contract, the Knicks view Hilario as too raw to be taken seventh, barren of offensive skills. Layden interviewed Hilario on Saturday and paid for his hotel room, but he’s only viewed as a trade-down possibility. The 6-11 Italian Leaguer Nikoloz Tskitishvili is not on the Knicks’ radar at No. 7 because he’s too much of a project, and Indiana’s Jared Jeffries is a long shot.
Meanwhile, the Rockets still have not gotten clearance on 7-5 Yao Ming from the Chinese Basketball Association. But the Rockets have told the Knicks they’ll pick Yao and attempt to work out his release this summer before considering a trade. Layden has established a relationship with the Shanghai Sharks, who want him to play for the Knicks.
Second-round candidates for the Knicks (pick No. 36) include 6-6 sharpshooter Predrag Savovic, 7-foot center Jason Jennings and point guard Steve Logan.
Knicks’ FIRST PICK, FIRST ROUND
YearPlayerPositionSchoolSelection # Overall
1947Wat Misaka GUtah not available
1948Harry GallatinF/CNE Missouri St. not available
1949Dick McGuireGSt. John’s 8
1950Irwin DambrotFCity College7
1951Ed Smith FHarvard 6
1952Ralph PolsonFWhitworth 6
1953Walter DukesCSeton Hall 8
1954Jack Turner FWestern Kentucky 8
1955Ken SearsFSanta Clara 5
1956Ronnie Shavlik FN.C State 4
1957Brendon McCann GSt. Bonaventure 5
1958Mike FarmerFSan Francisco 3
1959Johnny GreenFMichigan St. 6
1960Darral ImhoffCCalifornia 3
1961Tom Stith FSt. Bonaventure 2
1962Paul HougeCCincinnati 2
1963Art HeymanG/FDuke 1
1964Jim BarnesCTexas Western 1
1965Bill BradleyFPrinceton territorial pick
1966Cazzie RussellFMichigan 1
1967Walt Frazier GSouthern Illinois 5
1968Bill HosketFOhio St. 10
1969John Warren GSt. John’s 11
1970Mike PriceGIllinois 17
1971Dean Meminger GMarquette 16
1972Tom RikerF/CSouth Carolina 8
1973Mel Davis FSt. John’s 14
1974No First Round Selection
1975Eugene ShortFJackson St. 9
1976No First Round Selection
1977Ray WilliamsGMinnesota 10
1978Michael Ray Richardson GMontana 4
1979Bill Cartwright CSan Francisco 3
1980Mike Woodson FIndiana 12
1981No First Round Selection
1982Trent TuckerGMinnesota 6
1983Darrell WalkerGArkansas 12
1984No First Round Selection
1985Patrick EwingCGeorgetown 1
1986Kenny WalkerFKentucky 5
1987Mark JacksonGSt. John’s 18
1988Rod Strickland GDePaul 19
1989No First Round Selection
1990Jerrod MustafFMaryland 17
1991Greg AnthonyGUNLV 12
1992Hubert DavisGNorth Carolina 20
1993No First Round Selection
1994Monty Williams FNotre Dame 24
1995No First Round Selection
1996John WallaceFSyracuse 18
1997John ThomasFMinnesota 25
1998No First Round Selection
1999Frederick WeisC France 15
2000Donnell HarveyF Florida 22
2001No First Round Selection
