KNICKS DRAFT: Best Option Should Be Bismack Biyombo

With the 17th pick in the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks are looking to bolster a roster that already features superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

One player the Knicks would love to have slip to their draft spot is center prospect Bismack Biyombo from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Knicks need a defensive center to pair alongside Amar'e Stoudmire and Carmelo Anthony in the frontcourt and Biyombo is a raw athlete who could develop into an excellent NBA player.

Standing just 6'9, he has a reach of more than seven feet and is very agile on his feet. Biyombo moves quickly across the lane to contest shots as well as using a quick drop step to beat defenders in the post.

The Knicks struggled defensively last year so Biyombo could contribute right away. While his offense is somewhat suspect, the Knicks do not suffer from a lack of scorers, but are in need of someone to step in and toughen up their interior defense.

At the 2011 Nike Hoops Summit at the Rose Garden in Portland, Biyombo drew a lot of attention from NBA scouts while playing with the International team. He scored 12 points on a variety of put backs, offensive rebounds, and post moves, and registered 11 rebounds. He even got a triple double with 10 highlight-reel blocks.

His performance at the Nike Summit means that he probably won't slip to the middle of the first round but there are rumors that the Knicks are looking to trade up in the draft in order to snatch the promising young big man.

He would have to step in and play starter's minutes at the center spot right away and his athleticism and defensive tenacity could allow him to be the shot in the arm the Knicks need to reinvigorate their ailing defense.

Biyombo is precisely the player head coach Mike D'Antoni should target, but the Knicks may need some luck to land him.