NEW YORK – New York Knicks president Phil Jackson has already been fined for commenting on a college player this year. So he wasn’t going to mention any college stars by name on Monday night during a chat with season-ticket holders.

But if you listen to what Jackson said about big men -- and about what he’s looking for in the draft -- you can draw a reasonable conclusion that the Knicks right now would prefer Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns over Duke’s Jahlil Okafor if given the opportunity to choose between the two.

Here’s why:

Defense is key: Jackson was asked by MSG’s Alan Hahn if it was more important for a big man in the triangle offense to be a strong defender or a strong offensive threat. Here was his answer:

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"Defender. Gotta have a defender," Jackson said. "... That's a good starting point -- a guy like Tyson Chandler (whom the Knicks traded over the summer) is the defensive backup that we have to have. In this day and age in our game, there are so many screen and rolls, so many 3-point shooters, so many things that a player of size has to (do). Not only cover the paint and protect the basket but he has to be able to step out defensively and play a guard. And do some defensive work on the extreme part of the floor so it's very important that that player have defensive capabilities."

Towns is currently viewed by scouts as a better defender than Okafor. His defensive win shares are nearly 30 percent higher than Okafor’s, per Sports-Reference.com. Scouts say Towns is a more promising pick-and-roll defender and projects as a more versatile defender.

Also worth noting: Jackson was asked by Hahn to name the most important aspect of building a contending team. Without hesitation, Jackson mentioned defense.

Looking for multi-skilled player in draft: Jackson was also asked if it was more important to draft a player who fit best in the triangle or to draft the best available player.

He partially dodged the question, but did say the Knicks are looking for a “player who has multiple skills.”

You can make an argument that both Towns and Okafor fit that description. But based on the attributes described above and the potential that he has shown on offense, Towns may fit it better than Okafor.

Towns has shown an ability to shoot from the perimeter and play in the post at Kentucky. Okafor, scouts say, is incredibly skilled in the post but isn’t as proficient from the perimeter.

Also worth noting: Some scouts have said Okafor is a great triangle fit because of his strong post play and ability to pass out of the post. There's no doubt this will factor into the Knicks’ decision-making.

But GM Steve Mills said New York isn’t limiting its options by looking solely at players who fit in the triangle.

“When we sit around with Phil and the scouts and the coaches, we don’t necessarily talk about ... a guy that can fit in the triangle,” Mills said. “We talk about a guy who sees things. We talk about a guy who can pass the right way; intelligent, system-type basketball players.”

None of this is to say the Knicks will definitely take Towns over Okafor on June 25. They may not even be in position to draft either -- or they may decide to trade the pick. For what it's worth, Jackson said that he knows who he’d like to pick if New York lands the first overall selection. But plenty can change over the course of three months. It's also worth pointing out that what Jackson said to a group of season-ticket holders may differ from what he's truly thinking.

Still, based on what Phil said Monday night, it sounds like the Knicks may favor Towns over Okafor right now.

Question: If you were Phil Jackson, would you draft Karl Anthony-Towns over Jahlil Okafor if given the opportunity?