Hey KFTV peeps, I know our Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals, but for me, what gets me hyped is the NBA Draft and the Combine. The Knicks hold the #24, #31, and #55 picks in this upcoming draft, and I'm going to share some prospects I think could be in the late-first and early-second round range.

(If you asked me a few days ago, I would've told you that Zuby Ejiofor, the St. John's big man, would be my top target, but after his measurement results from Tuesday, I no longer think he will be here, and that makes me sad.)

As a Duke fan, I know firsthand what Tarris Reed can do to make an impact on a game. He was a key factor in UConn’s epic comeback versus the Blue Devils, where he used his brute strength to bully Boozer and Ngongba. He averaged nearly 15 points and 10 rebounds while blocking two shots a game. In the opening tournament game against Furman, he dropped a 31-point, 27-rebound double-double! He sets some of the best screens I've seen from a big man in this class, and when he sets it, you feel it. His size allows him to move guys in the paint at will and wear them down. With Mitch possibly gone this offseason, he would come in and fill the void if necessary.

A stretch big might have people thinking of Porzingis…

Okay, my bad, I don’t want to anger you, but Henri has that kind of ability. He made a massive leap this season, upping his three-point shooting from 32% at Arizona to 42% at UNC while averaging 17 points. He moves really well for a guy his size and has a very high IQ to add to his fluidity as an athlete. Now, he isn't quite the rim protector that KP is, but he has shown the ability to be a great help defender with his 7’2 wingspan. Pair him with KAT for some stretches, and defenses will have a tough time with the Knicks’ spacing!

One of the best shooters and winners in the country, Alex shot over 37% from 3 this season at UConn. He put on a shooting clinic at the NBA Draft Combine, shooting close to 75% in every drill they ran. He’s great at moving off the ball, and you know playing under Dan Hurley requires having a high hoop IQ, which he possesses. 

He’s been a name that has been on NBA Draft boards for a few seasons, but this season at Cincy, he seems to have finally put it all together. Baba averaged a double-double at Cincy and is one of the “unicorn” type players you don't see much of. He’s a disruptive player, causing havoc in the passing lane, which makes him a monster in transition. His shot is still a work in progress, and I’m not sure if it'll ever come through the way some would like. But with his freakish length and the Knicks staff that made Mo Diawara a solid shooter in year one, I think he can be respectable at the next level.

Bonus: Here are some names I like at pick #55: