Via MSG:

By Michael Naclerio

GRADE B:

While the Knicks drafted players who fill two of the team’s holes last night – center and guard/size and defense – it still remains to be seen whether they did so in the most effective manner. Buying into the second round was a wise decision but the player they nabbed might not even see playing time under Mr. Mike “I hate Rookies” D’Antoni. With the 17th pick, the Knicks elected to pass over Chris Singleton of Florida State, who was considered by many to be the premier defensive player in the draft. Instead, they opted for George Tech combo guard Iman Shumpert. As the draft got closer, the noise that Donnie Walsh and Co. had become enamored with this guard’s defensive and offensive abilities kept getting louder and louder. (more…)

by Michael Naclerio

Amidst the whirlwind that is the Knicks front office right now, the CBA negotiation and an offseason that requires a number of holes to be filled we contemplate the upcoming draft. Although Donnie Walsh will not be signing back on as Knicks President of Basketball Operations, he will remain with the team as a consultant through the next season and will still contribute to selecting the Knicks upcoming 17th pick in the NBA draft this Thursday. Although Donnie’s involvement may slightly ease the minds of the Knicks fans (as long as the player the Knicks choose does not rhyme with Hordan Jill), many are still hungover about why Donnie was let go in the first place. (more…)

by KnicksTweets contributor Ralph Guerrero:

So Donnie Walsh is stepping down as President of Basketball Operations of the New York Knicks.  He will be retained as a consultant for the next year.  A consultant?  Really?  The man who stripped millions of dollars off the books?   The man who made putrid contracts disappear like his name was Houdini.  The man who saved the Knicks from salary cap hell.   Yet because he wanted to be assured that he was really calling the shots; now he is relegated to the “consultant” title? (more…)

Be disgusted.

Despite a B.S. report from the always unreliable Peter Vescey to the contrary, Donnie Walsh is out as Knicks’ President of Basketball Operations.

Via ESPN:

“Following a long series of discussions regarding his future role with the New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh and I have mutually agreed that he will be leaving his position … at the end of June,” Dolan said in a statement.

Walsh will work in a consultant’s capacity for the team next season.

Sadly, we had a hunch.  Let the Dolan/Carmelo Anthony story recycle.

With Alan Hahn reporting that the Knicks and Donnie Walsh are “still talking about” a contract extension, we’d like to ask James Dolan:

Why isn’t it done yet?

What is taking so long?

What else does he have to do?

However, there is a major flaw to this line of questioning.  From most accounts, there is a two year contract currently on the table.  The question is does Donnie want to accept it? (more…)

Via The Knicks Blog:

“They’ve definitely begun to speak about it (the option),” the source said.

Whether Walsh is 100% sure he wants to return is another question. With the whirlwind pressure to now get this group to the top of the Eastern Conference and the seemingly never-ending presence of Isiah Thomas looming over head, it would be hard to blame Walsh for heading back home to Indiana. But don’t assume if he leaves NY he’s going back to to his old job with the Pacers just yet.

“He has NOT spoken to Indiana about working again for the Pacers,” the source assured me. “He is too close and has way to much respect for Larry (Bird), who he thinks is doing a great job there.”

Via Newsday:

“Donnie Walsh chatted before Monday night’s game with agent Andy Miller, who represents Chauncey Billups.  Miller said he has had “preliminary conversations” with the Knicks about Billups’ future with the team beyond this season, but at this point, “nothing specific” has been addressed…

The Knicks are expected to keep Billups for at least the final year of his contract.  He could be a valuable asset as an expiring contract, especially if a team such as the Hornets looks to trade Chris Paul before he opts out for free agency in 2012.”

Via NY Post:

Center Earl Barron became a free agent when he was not re-signed by Milwaukee yesterday, but Walsh said he would pass for now despite the Knicks’ center woes. According to a source, Walsh likes Barron, but doesn’t want to sign him because D’Antoni won’t play him over Jared Jeffries or Ronny Turiaf.

Via First Coast News:

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed center Earl Barron to a second 10-day contract. Barron has appeared in three games with the Bucks since signing his original deal on March 1 and has averaged 4.0 points with 4.7 rebounds