The first batch of potential draftees working out for the Knicks doesn’t include many household names. Check that… the Knicks’ first workout roster is a bunch of second round-to-undrafted free agent types.
This is interesting primarily because the Knicks don’t have a second-round pick this year. It went to the Lakers on draft day 2009, in exchange for the pick that became Toney Douglas.
Of course, second-round draft picks aren’t hard to come by, especially for a team willing to spend a little money. The going rate is usually around $3 million – the maximum amount of cash NBA teams are allowed to include in trades. Donnie Walsh acquired one from Milwaukee during last year’s draft, which became center Jerome Jordan. (Jordan played in Serbia last season; the Knicks still own his draft rights.) According to reports, Walsh hopes to package Renaldo Balkman – who has two years and $3.2 million remaining on his contract – and cash in exchange for a second-round pick.
