Knicks Rumors: Okafor, Russell, Porzingis

Running the Knicks isn’t easy, but president Phil Jackson isn’t about to run from the challenge, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.

“I have a five-year contract and I just finished year one,’’ Jackson told Mike & Mike of ESPN Radio. “I anticipate it will take awhile to turn this around and I want to be here through that phase. That was my commitment with Jim Dolan. He was trying to find a brand for our franchise in which people know how we play and identify the style of ball we play. I’ve had part of that history of coaching in the NBA. It allows you to take players to fit into the system that works well and had success. As time goes on, I can allow Steve to take over the whole operation. I don’t anticipate that’s going to be a big deal.’’

Here’s the latest on the Knicks as they get set for Thursday night’s draft..

• The Knicks are leaning towards taking Mudiay if they stay at No. 4, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (on Twitter).  If they move down, Kaminsky would be the likely target.
• The Knicks continue to pursue deals to move out of the No. 4 spot and further back in the lottery, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter).

Earlier updates:

• If Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell are off the board when the Knicks pick at No. 4, they would like to grab Kristaps Porzingis, Frank Kaminsky, or Trey Lyles, Chris Broussard of ESPN.com tweets.  Emmanuel Mudiay, he adds, is “hovering.”
• The Knicks are unlikely to trade the No. 4 pick outside the top ten unless they’re offered a good young player and an additional pick, Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops tweets.
• Multiple NBA insiders believe that the Knicks should take Porzingis, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes.  “The kid can flat-out shoot,” a Western Conference executive said. “Now he’s really, really thin, but he’s athletic. A 7-footer who can step out and hit 3s is something.”  Bobby Marks, the former Nets assistant general manager, also said he’d take him at No. 4.
• Charley Rosen, Phil Jackson’s longtime confidant, wants to see the Knicks take Kentucky defensive specialist Willie Cauley-Stein, Berman writes.
• Saving the Knicks will be Jackson’s ultimate test, Howard Beck of Bleacher Report writes.
• The Knicks have a history of unlucky draft picks, as Frank Isola of the New York Daily News writes.