Mardy

Collins

This was a much better pick than the Balkman selection, and he’s a fundamentally sound and smart player. The ESPN guys compared him to Aaron McKie, meaning he plays the right way and can do things on both ends of the floor. The Knicks currently have a logjam in their back court, so it’s too early to tell if he’ll get enough playing time.

They took the Temple product with the 29th pick in the draft and he’ll get $1.55 million for two years. The team holds options for his third and fourth seasons as well.

This is the same team that currently employs Dan Gadzuric and Mardy Collins. McCants was linked to China back in September, and Stein reports that Jiangsu is the latest team to attempt to convince him to end his “self-imposed exile” and return to basketball.

The Knicks have 17 players currently, which is two above the maximum. Robinson had a disappointing second season, which included him starting the Knicks-Nuggets brawl on Dec. 16. He’s only 5-7 and the Knicks don’t consider him a point guard any longer, especially with the emergence of Mardy Collins. Newly acquired Dan Dickau and Fred Jones probably have a better shot of making the team than Robinson at this point.

Nate Robinson will also join last season’s rookies, Mardy Collins and Randolph Morris, and this year’s picks, first-rounder Wilson Chandler of DePaul and second-round shooting guard Demitris Nichols of Syracuse. The Knicks appear to have serious interest in acquiring Ron Artest from the Kings and several of these players could be included in a deal. However, for the Knicks to get Artest, they’ll likely have to part with fan-favorite David Lee. Stay tuned.

He had surgery six weeks ago and should be ready for training camp. The emergence of Collins last season could mean Nate Robinson won’t make the Knicks’ final roster this year.

Stephon Marbury played a whopping 43 minutes, which means Collins won’t have value unless Marbury gets traded, or is ever punished for abandoning his team.

Collins is starting and has zero value, so don’t expect him to be a fantasy contender this year.

Jamal Crawford started at point guard, so we’re guessing that Mardy Collins (foot) is out tonight. It remains to be seen if Starbury will play, but we’re guessing him and Zeke have kissed and made up, and that he will come off the bench tonight. Oh, the drama.

Jones could replace Mardy Collins in the starting lineup, but neither guy has very much value in fantasy leagues.