Knicks Draft Greek Player

By Bamidele Olowosegba

With their focus on Jeremy Lin and other free agents, the New York Knicks have drafted a player who won’t play for them next season.

The Knicks used the 48th pick on Kostas Papanikolaou, a member of the Greek national team who was the MVP of the Euroleague championship game after leading Olympiacos to the title. The 6-foot-8 forward is under contract in Europe, and Knicks General Manager Glen Grunwald says the team will evaluate him next season before determining when to bring him over.

Without a first-round pick after trading it to Houston for Tracy McGrady in 2010, Grunwald says Thursday the focus is on free agency that starts Sunday.

He says the Knicks are looking to keep Lin, Steve Novak, JR Smith and Landry Fields. They can match any offer to Lin, a restricted free agent.