A disappointed Stern announces that the Warriors picked Curry -- really, it was like the opposite of the Rubio announcement -- followed by New York’s crowd reacting like offices in Wall Street after the O.J. verdict. Too bad. “D’Antoni Ball + Curry = magic.” We’ll never know.
The bold move by the Knicks, however, would not be to target Thabeet or even Spanish guard Ricky Rubio. It appears more likely that Davidson’s Stephen Curry or Memphis’ Tyreke Evans are the more coveted prospects.
Curry is emerging as the most obvious choice because of his shooting ability. The fact that he has expressed a desire to play in New York hasn’t hurt either. But the Knicks are also resigned to the fact the Curry could be taken anywhere from four to seven.
The Knicks, who pick eighth, are already preparing for alternative scenarios as interest in Curry has grown since he worked out in New York. And while Curry continues to say his preference would be to land with the Knicks, it doesn’t make financial sense for him to dissuade teams ahead of the Knicks to pass on him. For instance, the NBA rookie scale for the eighth overall pick is $2.06 million in the first year. The scale at fourth overall, where the Kings select, is almost $1 million more.
According to one source, the Warriors have tried to get Curry to visit and told him they’d guarantee picking him 7th if he impressed them on a visit. But no visit, so far.
Following a workout with the Washington Wizards (picking fifth) Tuesday, Curry told Washington reporters he’ll head to Sacramento this weeked to audition for the Kings (picking fourth). Steph’s dad, Dell, indicated previously that Steph would likely cut off workouts after the Washington session, in hopes he’d last to the Knicks at No. 8.
The reality is Curry’s just too valuable in this draft to last that long. He could go as high as No. 3 (Oklahoma City).
It is hardly a secret he wants to be on the board for the Knicks. Though a player cannot force teams to not select him, the decision to shut down with a little less than two weeks before the draft sends a clear message that Curry would prefer that other teams pass on him.
After wowing Knicks management Wednesday, Stephen Curry isn’t planning any more pre-draft workouts beyond one previously scheduled with the Washington Wizards, his father, Dell, said at a Bobcats workout Friday.
There is no question that Curry leads all draft prospects in confidence and hype, much of it generated by himself. When asked Wednesday what type of NBA player he expects to be, Curry answered, “A great one.”
Despite what Curry says about himself, he won’t be the top pick in the June 25 NBA draft.
If the Knicks pick Stephen Curry in the upcoming NBA, his sweet shooting touch could certainly help the team.
But it’s Curry’s new buddy who could radically transform the Knicks’ fortunes.
You may have heard of him. He has a puppet named after him and he goes by the name of LeBron.
“I got him on the text message contact list, so I’ll be dropping lines if I’m here trying to get him to come here next year,” Curry said of James after his workout Wednesday at the Knicks’ practice facility.
