Link:Stephon Marbury said yesterday he'd like to see president/coach Isiah Thomas add another perimeter shooter in the June 28 NBA draft, in which the Knicks hold the 23rd pick.
"It would be great to have a guy like Steve Kerr," Marbury told The Post.
"To get a shooter, somebody like that style of player, that's something you don't have a lot of in the league, shooters like Kerr, Glen Rice. It would be great to get somebody to shoot the ball and keep people honest."
Indeed, when Quentin Richardson and Jamal Crawford went down last season, opponents triple-teamed Eddy Curry down low and dared the Knicks to beat them from the perimeter.
The best outside shooter Thomas has worked out so far in the pre-draft workouts is Rice University shooting guard Morris Almond, who's been compared to Allan Houston.
But Thomas is looking to make a bigger score this summer - he even began plotting a package to acquire Kobe Bryant before Bryant backtracked on his trade request.
Bryant was the first guest on Marbury's cable talk show, but he knows Knick fans would rather see them together in the backcourt - not schmoozing on the couch.
"That would be spectacular, something that a lot of people would want to see," Marbury mused.
Marbury feels if Bryant and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, another Thomas target, still want out, he expects their wishes to be granted.
O'Neal and Bryant both have wanderlust for New York. Bryant has a no-trade clause and can potentially steer his way to the Knicks, however unlikely. In figures released yesterday, Bryant's jersey was the NBA's No. 1 seller. Marbury's ranked seventh.
Marbury isn't shocked by Bryant's stance.
"This is a business at the end of the day," Marbury said. "He wants to win, he knows what it tastes like and he's still hungry for that taste."
Meanwhile, O'Neal wants to reunite with Thomas, for whom he played in Indiana.
"My personal opinion, if I'm the GM of a team and he doesn't want to play for you anymore, you move on [and] do everything possible to move him and get something in return," Marbury said.
"Knowing [Pacer GM] Larry Bird as a player and his demeanor, his attitude, if you don't want to play for him, he'll get somebody else."
Marbury feels the Knicks are easily a playoff team without additions but added, "If Isiah has the opportunity to add Kevin Garnett or O'Neal, you have to consider that - it's crazy not to."
Problem is, Marbury's summer may be more eventful than Thomas'.
Marbury is kicking off a 19-day "Starbury" sneaker cross-country tour in July. He also is writing a children's book. Marbury said the book's theme - related to his $14.98 Starbury sneakers - is to inspire kids to dream.
"You give them a little push and little bit of hope, you see their talents come out of them," Marbury said. "It's important to allow them to understand you can do anything you want to do."
After last season's 33-49, the Knicks can use that inspiration.
"We all played together through trying times last year," Marbury said. "We have a feel for how each other plays. We won't make the mistakes we made last year."
