Porzingis: In the hallways of the Knicks’ Tarrytown practice facility, staff members are quietly saluting themselves for nabbing the draft’s most talented offensive player. The Knicks are listing Porzingis at 7-foot-3 — that’s what he measured at their training facility with shoes, impressing Jackson. In Europe, where players are measured without shoes, Porzingis was listed at 7-foot-1.
The fascination in Vegas will be how the super-skinny Porzingis defends, rebounds and adjusts to the more physical NBA style. Is he strong enough yet to grab position inside and score? He is expected to drain his share of 3-pointers — like he did with amazing frequency at his Vegas pre-draft workout.
Grant:
According to a source, Miami president Pat Riley fell in love with the 22-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard, but couldn’t pass on Justise Winslow when he fell to 10.
“[Grant’s] a basketball player, that’s what he is,’’ one person close to Riley said. “Not an athlete but a basketball player.’’
That high basketball IQ as son of Harvey Grant and nephew of triangle stalwart Horace Grant made him appealing. Jackson said “DNA’’ and ability to play anywhere in the backcourt heightened his interest.
Cleanthony Early: The 2014 second-round pick got a guaranteed pact for 2015-16, but the Wichita State small forward adjusted slowly to the NBA and suffered through an injury-prone rookie season. The Knicks once thought of him as a steal of the draft at 34. Early has got to show major strides in his strength and offensive awareness.
Langston Galloway: After he was signed from the D-League in January, Fisher adored his toughness, moxie and clutch shot-making and has cemented a backup role next season. Undrafted, Galloway was a real find by Jackson’s top adviser, Clarence Gaines, and was second team All Rookie.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo: The Knicks’ 2014 second-round “stash’’ pick spent all season in Westchester and is still unsigned. He is a frenetic defender, but foul-prone and struggled with his jumper. If he has a good summer league, bet on the Knicks signing him to a small guarantee and asking him to compete for a roster spot in veterans camp.
Louis Labeyrie: Another 2014 stash pick, Labeyrie spent last season playing for Paris-Levallois in the French League. He’s an athletic 6-foot-10 power forward. As The Post reported, the Knicks paid $1.5 million to Indiana for the rights to the 57th pick. They feel he could be on the roster in 2016-17.
Ricky Ledo: Finished the season with the Knicks and showed lots of talent as a 6-foot-7 shooting guard. Jackson believes he can be shifted to small forward, too. Jackson gave him a $200,000 guarantee if he’s not cut by Aug. 1, so they are very interested in him for the 15-man roster.
Travis Wear: The 6-foot-10 forward was 15th man last season after going undrafted out of UCLA. He had his moments as a jump shooter in the triangle, but a back injury derailed his rookie year. Should get a camp invite.
Here’s the full roster:
F Thanasis Antetokounmpo, rookie, Westchester/D-League
G Jimmy Baron, rookie, Rhode Island
G T.J. Bray, rookie, Princeton
F Cleanthony Early, 2nd year, Knicks
C Ovidijus Galdikas, rookie, Asseco Gdynia/Poland
G Langston Galloway, 2nd year, Knicks
G Jerian Grant, rookie, Notre Dame
F/C Alex Kirk, 2nd year, Cavaliers
F/C Louis Labeyrie, rookie, Paris-Levallois/France
G Ricky Ledo, 3rd year, Knicks
F Maurice Ndour, rookie, Ohio
F/C Kristaps Porzingis, rookie, Seville/Spain
C Ben Strong, rookie, Westchester/D-League
F Travis Wear, 2nd year, Knicks
http://nypost.com/2015/07/07/knicks-summer-roster-revealed-with-hopeful-porzingis/