Getty The Toronto Raptors are looking to trade their veteran players.
The New York Knicks are looking for new leadership with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reporting that the team has parted ways with team president Steve Mills.
New York is parting ways with President Steve Mills, league source tells ESPN.
GM Scott Perry will continue his role as GM for the foreseeable future, meaning that Perry will navigate the Knicks at the trade deadline. However, the team is currently interviewing for the team president position.
Who is Next for New York’s Top Post?
The franchise has eyes for Toronto team president Masai Ujiri to oversee the team’s operations. Ujiri is under contract through the 2020-21 season, meaning that the Knicks would likely have to send compensation to the Raptors if they intend to ink the highly-coveted executive.
Woj adds that owner James Dolan is considering hiring a top basketball agent to man the position, similar to how the Golden State Warriors (Bob Myers) and Los Angeles Lakers operate.
ESPN Sources with @ramonashelburne: Knicks owner Jim Dolan is already considering a front office model that is working with Golden State (Bob Myers) and the Lakers (Rob Pelinka): Hiring a top basketball executive out of the player agent ranks.
Trade Deadline Status
Mills was negotiating deals with other teams as early as this week. One of the potential trades was with the Warriors for D’Angelo Russell.
New York Knicks have an offer for D’Angelo Russell. That deal would include Bobby Portis, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Allonzo Trier and a 2nd round pick.
Warriors aren’t interested, I’m told. GSW want Mitchell Robinson & Knicks unprotected 1st rounder added to offer. (1/2)
The team was previously shying away from trading Marcus Morris, though it appears he is available after the front-office shakeup.
The list of untouchables for New York likely shrinks to zero should a star somehow try to finesse his way to the city via trade, as I wrote for SLAM Magazine. Short of that scenario, the Knicks are keeping R.J. Barrett and Mitchell Robinson long-term as building blocks for the future.
The No. 3 pick from the 2019 NBA Draft hasn’t been the most efficient player in the league but he’s shown flashes of a potential star through the first half of the season. Robinson, who was selected with the No. 36 overall pick a year ago, likely would be a top-10 pick if NBA clubs were granted a re-do of that 2018 draft. Both players still give the Knicks hope for the future.
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