The Knicks Fix

Hear that? It's quiet.

Too quiet.

Wendy Nix of ESPN said during last night's draft show that Donnie Walsh told her he probably won't be able to make any of the move-up trades he was pursuing. Chad Ford of ESPN.com says the David Lee-to-Memphis for the No. 5 is dead because, apparently, Lee suggested to the Grizz he won't sign long-term to play in Graceland.

The truth behind a lot of these rumors involving the Knicks is the lack of interest from other teams. I've been told by several league executives that Donnie is facing a sobering reality right now: most of his players just don't have any trade value.

Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, Quentin Richardson and even Stephon Marbury? Crickets.

Lee is the one chip he's got -- teams always mention him first when DW calls -- and he can't give it up for nothing. I can tell you this: if D-Lee isn't dealt tonight in the draft, he'll probably be used in some other scenario later this summer. This is David's last year of his rookie contract. He's hoping for a long-term extension and Walsh, with an eye on 2010, doesn't appear interested in making a major financial committment to Lee.

Anyway, here's where I'm at right now. It's possible the Knicks could trade out of the top 10 and pick up Portland's picks (13 and 27), as the New York Times today reported (rare rumor-mongering by Ho-Beck! The apocalypse is upon us!). Quite frankly, I don't see Jarret Jack as a reason to trade out of the six spot. Maybe for Steve Blake, who can give you a little poor man's Nash. But he and Crawford in the back court would be a nightmare on defense. Just snap the red cape and shout, Ole!

If the Knicks do nothing but make a pick at No. 6 -- don't consider that a bad day, Fixers -- I'm thinking you go with Danilo Gallinari.

I don't know enough about what Russell Westbrook can do at the NBA level at the point, but from what I've seen, heard and read, he's got the stuff to be, at the very least, a solid off-the-bench guy who can defend and move the ball. Can he shoot it consistently, at least enough to draw double-teams away from Jamal Crawford? Can he handle the rock at this level and get people involved in the offense and read situations?

If anything, he is a confident kid. And Westbrook impressed me yesterday when he talked about the pride he takes in defense.

"Somebody scoring on me, that's like me losing a game," he said.

But quite frankly there's an obvious drop-off in the draft from Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo to the next tier, so maybe it's not worth using your pick to find your PGOTF (point guard of the future).

I'm not convinced Eric Gordon can be a point guard. Jerryd Bayless and Gordon seem to be from that mold of the late 1990s -- the score-first point guards. Pass. D.J. Augustin was a great college point guard and his ball-handling skills are exceptional, but his size and lack of strength concerns me at this NBA level.

That's why I come to Gallinari. If you do wind up moving Lee, Gallinari slides into Lee's spot at the four and probably can give you more minutes at the three than Lee could. David is obviously more advanced right now that Danilo and D-Lee's inside-pivot post move will continue to develop into a valuable weapon for him. Gallinari has similar intangibles -- smarts, toughness, committment -- and yet has better range and can take it strong to the hole.

Of course, as I said before, his lack of nimble athleticism might result in him being nothing more than a Bokie Nachbar, a nice player but not at all a legit NBA starter.

My sleeper for the Knicks, though his name rarely came up in relation to the No. 6 pick, is Joe Alexander. There's something about this kid that just continues to impress me. I'm wondering what it is about him that hasn't linked him to Knicks interest, but we do know the Knicks saw him twice in workouts (once at MSG Training Center and once at the Nets facility).

Great ups, great explosiveness and size and strength. Smarts and excellent shooting ability. He fits all of the D'Antoni traits. So why aren't they as enamoured as I am (and, apparently, Scott Skiles is, too)?

Back to the phones and Blackberry. Don't forget about the LIVE CHAT we're having here at noon. Oughta be fun.