Embattled Knicks scout Rodney Heard was in the house last night as the club is holding college-scouting meetings this week run by team president Donnie Walsh.
Heard, who is being investigated by the NBA, was at the Garden for the Knicks’ victory over the Timberwolves, according to a team official.
Also spotted was Kevin Pritchard, the former Trail Blazers president who has been linked to the Knicks’ general manager job. Pritchard’s agent is Warren LeGarie, also the agent of Mike D’Antoni. A source close to Pritchard said he was there for “enjoyment.”
Another person walking around the Knicks headquarters in the bowels of the Garden was Mel Daniels, whom sources said Walsh has tried to hire.
The timing of the Knicks’ college meetings coincides with today’s Garden college-basketball doubleheader, the Jimmy V Classic. Several NBA executives were spotted in the arena for last night’s Knicks game.
Heard, hired by Isiah Thomas, is being probed for holding illegal workouts with college recruits, including Wilson Chandler, whom the Knicks selected with their first pick four years ago. Heard is considered the Knicks’ East Coast college scout.
An NBA source said a private investigation firm was hired only because the alleged infraction occurred at various gyms off NBA property. NBA security conducts investigations when the infractions occur in NBA environs, the source said.
*
With guard Toney Douglas
still under-performing because of a strained back and Roger Mason
not cutting it, the Knicks can use another ball-handler on the roster and have made some inquiries. One point guard of note who is not receiving playing time is Orlando’s Jason Williams, who lost his backup role to ex-Knick Chris Duhon
. The Knicks worked out Williams in the summer of 2009 and passed on signing him.
With Shawne Williams
‘ emergence, the Knicks have an overload of wings on the club and Bill Walker
, who sat out last night because of a sore knee, is expendable.
Walsh said the club has good ball-handlers at other positions, but added, “We’ll look at anything that can improve the team. Everybody needs something. We’re evaluating the team and trying to evaluate what can help.”
*
Ronny Turiaf
played 12 minutes in his return from a four-game absence but did not start, with D’Antoni happy with the Amar’e Stoudemire
–Wilson Chandler
frontcourt for the time being.