Multiple outlets are reporting that the New York Knicks are nearing a deal with Lon Rose to fill it’s Head of Basketball Ops position. The position became open when James Dolan removed Steve Mills from the position. It’s expected that Mills will still serve on the board.
The Knicks move to Rose mimicks what the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have already done. Hire an agent to run your basketball operations. Rose worked for CAA and, among others, he represents Carmelo Anthony, Joel Embiid, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Kyle Kuzma, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Knicks fans shouldn’t get to excited by the list. Hiring Rose doesn’t mean Embiid, Booker, and Towns will be wearing a Knicks jersey. But with the success for the agents to front office moves, maybe it will convince more free agents that the Knicks front office is competent enough to be worth signing with the team.
NBA Radio’s Frank Isola also points out that Rose has a very good relationship with Jeff Van Gundy, Tom Thibodeau, and Mark Jackson.
FYI: Leon Rose, besides being Carmelo’s agent, is very close with Jeff Van Gundy, Tom Thibodeau and Mark Jackson. (Bring the whole gang back.)
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 6, 2020
Of course, relationships only matter with Dolan will allow Rose to do his job. If so, this could be a home run for the franchise.
Rose’s first order of the business is the trade deadline. That means trying to move Marcus Morris among others. It’s important for the Knicks to starting stacking some draft assets or young players.
After the season the challenge will be charting that path for both the near and extended future. That should start with a head coach search that will fit into the vision of the on-court product, drafting wisely, etc.
Plus, eventually Rose will need to decide what to do with the free agent class Mills just signed. Luckily, the contracts weren’t long term.
The fix won’t be easy nor will it be fast and that’s fine but if there’s one thing the Knicks fans have proven is that they’re patient. That could serve Rose well in his quest to rescue the franchise.
