We now know that Steve Mills is out with the Knicks. We also know that people of influence at Madison Square Garden have been, in the words of one source, ‘obsessed’ with Toronto president Masai Ujiri. We don’t know what, specifically, the Knicks would need offer the Raptors to land Ujiri, who is under contract through 2020-21.
Tag: Steve Mills
But we have a pretty good idea of where …
But we have a pretty good idea of where New York’s compensation package would have to start: one NBA team last year demanded two first-round picks when another team inquired about letting its exec out of an existing contract, per SNY sources. The transaction — which would have involved an exec generally considered a tier below Ujiri, sources said — didn’t get to the finish line.
But teams talk, and a baseline of two …
But teams talk, and a baseline of two first-round picks is where multiple SNY sources familiar with the dynamic of such negotiations, who were polled in December, expect any Knicks-Ujiri talks to start. When talking about the Knicks-Ujiri hypothetical, it’s fair to assume that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chairman Larry Tannenbaum will want at least two firsts in a package for Ujiri.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Just yesterday, …
Marc Stein: The Knicks’ statement on …
Marc Stein: The Knicks’ statement on Steve Mills’ exit … pic.twitter.com/Eo4ntL73az
Jonathan Wasserman: Asked a source …
Knicks fire Steve Mills
Adrian Wojnarowski: New York is parting ways with President Steve Mills, league source tells ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: It is expected that …
Adrian Wojnarowski: It is expected that GM Scott Perry will continue in his role as Knicks GM for forseeable future, league sources tell ESPN.
Either way, decisions will have to be …
Either way, decisions will have to be made on the front office after the season. Both Mills and GM Scott Perry have separate mutual contract options for next season, according to a source, meaning they’d have to be picked up by both themselves and the Knicks to return. Dolan would love to pry Masai Ujiri out of Toronto, but there’s skepticism it can done with the team president under contract. Such a deal would be very complicated if the Raptors play hardball. Another name being mentioned around the league is Thunder president Sam Presti. Rockets president Daryl Morey is expected to be a free agent but is saddled with the China controversy. According to ESPN, Morey’s tweet supporting Hong Kong cost the NBA between $150 million and $200 million in Chinese-driven revenue. The league can say whatever for PR purposes but the preference is Morey’s departure.
LaMelo Ball has shut it down for good …
LaMelo Ball has shut it down for good in Australia with a foot injury, but still should be a top-three pick in June’s draft. According to a source, the Knicks never got a chance to see the 6-foot-7 forward play live Down Under. Brass had plotted the trip for this month. In Ball’s last two games in the Australian National Basketball League in late November, he struck for consecutive triple-doubles. Par for the course. Maybe it won’t matter. There’s no guarantee president Steve Mills or general manager Scott Perry will make the Knicks’ lottery selection in June. To their credit, Mills and Perry have assembled six first-round picks in the next four drafts.