Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said he thinks the Knicks have pulled off another mid-draft steal along the lines of David Lee.
Syracuse guard Andy Rautins, selected at No. 38 in Thursday’s draft, was picked even later than Lee, who was the last pick of the first round five years ago as a Florida senior. Lee made his first All-Star in February and is ready for a big free-agent payday this summer.
Boeheim said he believes Rautins was a victim of a draft bias against college seniors, overlooked for fear they already have reached their potential.
“He’s a lot better player than people think he is,” Boeheim told The Post. “I’d like to say he’s just a great shooter, which he is, but he can do other things — pass and defend.”
Boeheim said he fielded calls from teams late in the first round and Rautins lasted longer than Boeheim thought he would.
“You look at the first round and there’s so many teams drafting young guys on potential,” Boeheim said. “They could be good. But then you find out they never get to be good. Andy’s ready to play now.
“Guys that work hard get better, like [Michael] Jordan,” Boeheim added. “Guys that don’t work hard don’t get better. Andy works hard and will get better like David Lee did. People missed the boat on Lee. Andy’s a workaholic.”
Boeheim has spent three summers with Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni as an assistant on Team USA.
“He’s a great offensive coach, one of the best I’ve seen,” Boeheim said. “A lot of Mike’s offense depends on making perimeter shots, and he can do that. It’s a good fit for the Knicks.”