Knicks, Nets have bevy of options in first round

Although neither the Knicks nor Nets will draft high enough to add a top prospect in this month's draft, both New York teams have an opportunity to acquire a solid rotational player with the potential to develop into a starter in the near future. These are some of their options.

Nets (No. 22 pick)

Gorgui Dieng
C, Louisville
Dieng (6-foot-11, 230 pounds) is a limited offensive threat who brings excellent rebounding and shot blocking skills. He's been in a walking boot throughout the draft process but, if healthy, is another alternative to help the Nets add much-needed size in the frontcourt.

Jamaal Franklin
SG, San Diego St.
If the Nets want to improve their defense in the backcourt, Franklin's long arms and freakish athleticism could enable him to develop into a shutdown defender with the ability to contribute on offense as well. At 6-foot-5, Franklin possesses good size for a two-guard, but must become a more consistent shooter to excel at a high level.

Mason Plumlee
PF, Duke
The 6-foot-10, 238-pound Plumlee has the ability to play with an extremely large frame and produce in an up-tempo offense. He's versatile as a shot blocker and a low-post scorer, but also provides enough mobility in that he will not be a complete liability guarding NBA power forwards.

Knicks (No. 24 pick)

Tim Hardaway Jr.
SG, Michigan
Knicks fans should remember his father, Tim Sr., from the height of the Knicks-Heat rivalry in the late 1990s. Six inches taller than his father at 6-foot-6 and 199 pounds, Hardaway Jr. is an athletic shooting guard who has the ability to get to the rim and could develop as a scorer opposite Carmelo Anthony.

Tony Mitchell
SF, North Texas
Small schools can sometimes yield big-time talent. The 6-foot-8 Mitchell has the size, strength and athleticism to develop into one of the draft's biggest steals. He showed inconsistent scoring ability in college, but given time to mature, he could be a fit for the Knicks.

Kelly Olynyk
PF, Gonzaga
If Amar'e Stoudemire continues to experience chronic knee issues, Olynyk, who towers at 7-foot and weighs 234 pounds, could fit in well within the Knicks offense as a player who does not need to be a No. 1 option but can provide the team with another post presence to complement Tyson Chandler.