CHICAGO — Donnie Walsh would not confirm reports he is coming back next season, but the Knicks president did confirm he would love to add a point guard or shooting guard to the roster in the June 23 NBA Draft.
The Post has reported Walsh has agreed to come back next season, but there’s been no official announcement.
“That will come,” Walsh told The Post at yesterday’s pre-draft camp. “I’m not going to be premature with this. I’ve told you the same thing. When I know what I’m doing, I’ll tell you.”
Walsh and about a dozen of his scouting staff are in Chicago analyzing a draft short on their greatest need — center — but long on point guards.
“Guards — I wouldn’t say specific,” Walsh said. “You can always use help at guards. You can’t be guard-poor. It’s always good to be guard-rich. But even saying that, someone out there we think is really good, you got to look at him.”
“There are needs,” Walsh added. “I always look at the draft if we get a guy whose good, who could fill a need, that’s wonderful. But it may come down to who’s the best player. You can’t pass on a great player.”
Walsh hit the jackpot last draft in taking Landry Fields with the 39th pick and he made first-team All-Rookie as their starting shooting guard.
“It’s an opportunity to get a player who can help you,” Walsh said. “We take it very seriously. We’ve done a lot of work on the draft. We’ve got a good feel for the draft. Meeting these players are important because we want someone who will fit in with what we’re building with the Knicks.”
***Duke senior PG Nolan Smith interviewed with the Knicks yesterday and will work out for them. “I definitely felt they want to add another guard and I felt a great deal of interest,” Smith said.
**UCLA wingman Tyler Honeycutt also interviewed with the Knicks. Honeycutt, despite being 6-foot-8, said he believes he’ll be a shooting guard in the NBA.
**Tobias Harris, a small forward out of Dix Hills, met with Nets brass yesterday. The Nets are seeking a SF, but Harris could be gone at 28.
** If the Knicks can obtain a second-round pick, keep the name Andrew Goudelock, a point guard from the College of Charleston in mind. Goudelock is considered a terrific shooter, but seems a reach at 17.