By Greg Hutchins, Senior Columnist

In his second draft at the helm of the New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh addressed needs in the team’s front and backcourt. After being denied the opportunity to select crowd favorite Stephen Curry, Walsh went for the best big man available in Arizona’s PF Jordan Hill. Hill (6-10 / 235lbs) is a product player who averaged double figures in both scoring (18.3) and rebounding (11.0) as a junior for the Wildcats. Hill fills the need for a shot blocker (1.7 per contest) and gives the Knicks an active post player who can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Walsh’s acquisition of the 29th overall pick from the world champion Lakers for $3MM and a 2011 second round pick, resulted in the selection of Toney Douglas from Florida State University. The 6-1 / 200lbs guard averaged a team-leading 21.5 points, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the Seminoles. Additionally, he was the runner-up to Ty Lawson as the ACC Player of the Year and a third team All-American. Douglas is a combo guard who will give head coach Mike D’Antoni scoring & defense as a backup to Chris Duhon.

In trade news, Walsh reportedly has traded veteran swingman Quentin Richardson to Memphis for Darko Milicic. Milicic - the 5 year pro - has failed to live up to expectations since being drafted second overall behind Lebron James in 2003, but adds size (7-1 / 275lbs) to a team that was sorely lacking in this area. Milicic is in the last year of his contract and could presumably start at center. Milicic’s career has been widely viewed as a bust, but he may thrive in D’Antoni’s system.

Clearly these moves were made to protect the team in the event Nate Robinson and David Lee leave via free agency. Both have been tendered qualifying offers and Walsh reserves the right to re-sign either.

Despite not being able to move up in the draft or make a major trade, Walsh has acquired 3 players that should be in the rotation next season. The need for a high-octane point guard remains, but the team’s defense should be much improved for the 2009-10 season. Moreover, Walsh he has preserved his cap space for the summer of 2010 which may yield the superstar the franchise has been sorely lacking for close to a decade.

Draft rating: B

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