The Knicks have failed to bring legend Patrick Ewing back into the organization, but instead they added his son today.
In a minor deal, the Knicks acquired forward Patrick Ewing Jr. from the Rockets for the draft rights to – center Frederic Weis. Yes, believe it or not, the Knicks still had the rights to their first-round pick in 1999 – the French stiff who spurned the NBA.
A 6-8 role player out of Georgetown, Ewing Jr, was drafted in the second round by Sacramento but was traded to Houston in the Ron Artest deal a few weeks ago. Scouts are concerned Ewing Jr. wouldn’t have an NBA position. He averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds in 21 minutes as a senior.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh raved about Ewing Jr. on draft night, praising his defense, and admitted he was trying to obtain a late first-round pick or second-round pick to draft him. However, despite his athleticism, he is a poor offensive player and not much of a shooter.
“I like him a lot,” Walsh said after the draft. “We were trying to get picks in the first round and he would’ve been one of the guys in my mind. I think he could be a good addition to an NBA team because he’s a glue guy.”
At the Orlando pre-draft camp in early June, Ewing, a Magic assistant, watched his son compete and said he’d love if the Knicks drafted him. Ewing Jr. is no lock to make the team since the Knicks have 16 players – one above the maximum – though Stephon Marbury could be cut.
“Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me. It has always been my dream to play for this team,” Ewing, Jr. said in a statement. “My goal is to show the coaches that I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games.”
Walsh drew the ire of Ewing last spring for not extending him a courtesy interview for the head-coaching job. This more than makes up for it if Ewing Jr. makes the Knicks, who open training camp Sept. 30th in Saratoga.