Knicks Hire Kings Executive Scott Perry As General Manager
Amidst their rather dysfunctional summer, the New York Knicks look to push themselves back into respectability — beginning with hiring Scott Perry as their new GM.
Just over two weeks ago, the New York Knicks unexpectedly cut ties with team president Phil Jackson. After unsuccessfully chasing bigger names, the Knicks have found a front office replacement. According to multiple reports, the Knicks have reached an agreement in principle with Sacramento Kings Vice President of Basketball Operations, Scott Perry, on a deal to make him the franchise’s new general manager.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN stated the two teams are currently finalizing a financial arrangement, which would allow Perry’s promotion to take place. The move would see Steve Mills assume the president role, left vacant by Jackson.
The hiring of Perry — an outside-the-box candidate — comes as a surprise, due to owner James Dolan’s tendency to hire big names. Toronto’s Masai Ujiri emerged as the Knicks’ first-choice candidate to fill the void left by Jackson. He may not have the rings to prove it, but Ujiri‘s efforts as an executive have yielded impressive results, with his teams making seven straight post-season appearances, dating back to his days in Denver. Former Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin was also considered for the role, but pulled his name out of the GM search last week, according to The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears. The Knicks would have likely needed to give up many more assets to acquire a big name such as Ujiri or Griffin, and should consider themselves lucky to acquire Perry for only their 2019 second-round pick.
Perry is one of the most respected veteran executives in the game and has worked for several teams over 17 NBA seasons — most notably, as the Pistons’ director of player personnel during their run at the top of the Eastern Conference in the mid 2000s. Perry most recently joined the Sacramento Kings in April 2017 after being relieved of his duties with the Orlando Magic, and has been credited with changing the franchise’s culture after years of disappointing draft picks and dysfunction.
He had a strong influence on basketball personnel decisions in Sacramento, and his first major task was the 2017 NBA Draft. While it may seem hard to miss in a draft class brimming with young talent, the Kings were uncharacteristically good on draft night, and much of that can be attributed to Perry. At No. 5, Sacramento drafted the lightning quick point guard De’Aaron Fox, widely considered as one of the top three point guards in the draft. The Kings followed this with a surprisingly shrewd move — turning pick No. 10 into Justin Jackson and Harry Giles, at No. 15 and No. 20 respectively.
Following the draft, the Kings surrounded their promising young core with veteran leadership, signing free agents George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter. Perry was applauded throughout the league for his savvy offseason moves, providing a fresh start for a franchise that recently traded its star player, DeMarcus Cousins. Given the positive impact he has already had on the team, many were surprised the Kings would allow Scott Perry to leave for New York.
From one franchise mired in ineptitude to another, Perry will arrive at a franchise hoping for a makeover similar to that of Sacramento’s — one that will bring stable leadership and a shift in culture. While Perry was busy laying the foundation for the King’s future, the Knicks have made several questionable decisions this summer. Signing Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year, $71 million deal raised eyebrows around the league and will limit the Knicks’ salary cap flexibility in the future. But, the most pressing issue remains Carmelo Anthony, who the Knicks are attempting to move as they shift their focus to building around Kristaps Porzingis. With Perry onboard, it will be interesting to see how the Knicks handle Anthony’s future.
Scott Perry could potentially provide the Knicks with some much-needed structure, but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to, with Mills calling the shots and with Dolan’s meddling ways.
