Top rebuilding priorities for new Knicks president Leon Rose
NEW YORK – The New York Knicks have begun a new era.
Leon Rose has officially completed his transition from player agent to president of the Knicks, taking over an organization that is close to finishing its seventh consecutive losing season and has struggled to find any success in recent years – both on the court and off it.
It’ll be a big task for Rose, who will spend the final weeks of the season evaluating the organization and gaining a greater sense of the changes that need to be made to the Knicks.
“We are pleased to welcome Leon to the New York Knicks as team president, and believe he is the right leader to build a winning organization for our fans,” Knicks owner Jim Dolan said in a statement. “Leon is one of the most respected executives in professional basketball, with decades of experience successfully working with NBA players and team management in all facets of the game. We are confident he brings the right combination of expertise and relationships to ensure the long-term success of our franchise.”
Other agents have transitioned to running organizations, including Warriors general manager Bob Myers and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.
The Knick are hoping Rose finds similar success.
“New York is the epicenter of basketball and Madison Square Garden has always been very special to me. To be a part of the Knicks revitalization and basketball at The Garden is a challenge and a rare opportunity, one to be cherished, and I will do my utmost to make the fans, the City and ownership proud,” Rose said in a statement. “I want to thank Jim Dolan for this opportunity.”
1. Determine who will make up the front office
Considering Rose doesn’t have experience running a team, he likely will try to find an experienced general manager. He knows plenty of executives throughout the league, so he could have one or several in mind.
Whether he makes changes to the current regime remains to be seen.
Rose is stepping into a team that has seven first-round picks in the next four years, as well as financial flexibility – a position the Knicks haven’t found themselves in too often in recent years.
That’s a good spot to be in, and it’s courtesy of general manager Scott Perry and his front office.
Rose has relationships with plenty of executives, but it could benefit him to give the current front office more time, while also providing crucial experience and support.
If he chooses to go in a different direction, Rose will need experienced executives around him as he takes on this new role.
2. Find a head coach
Mike Miller has done a good job overall of running the team after David Fizdale was fired. The Knicks are 14-24 since that point, an improvement over Fizdale’s 4-18 start to the season.
But Miller likely won’t have the “interim” tag removed. There’s a better chance Rose goes out and hires a wellknown coach who’s had proven success, whether it’s Tom Thibodeau or Jeff Van Gundy, among other possibilities.
Whoever it is will take over a roster that will need more time before it can become a contender, and who will also need to oversee the development of the team’s young players, particularly Kevin Knox, Robinson, Barrett and Frank Ntilikina.
Finding the right head coach is going to be crucial.
3. Make the right draft pick
The Knicks are in line for another high draft pick. The tough part is making the right choice, especially since this isn’t a particularly deep draft.
There’s no Zion Williamson this year, no seemingly can’t-miss talent who could transform a franchise.
Still, there are some talented players with potential, like LaMelo Ball, Cole
Anthony, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman among others.
Rose and his front office will have a big decision to make. It’s imperative they get it right as the Knicks keep adding talent for the future.
4. The team options
The Knicks have five players – Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, Bobby Portis and Reggie Bullock – who have team options for next season.
That means Rose and his front office will have to determine who to bring back.
Payton has done a solid job this season on both ends of the floor, despite his lack of shooting. He runs the offense well and he makes an impact defensively. Payton is scheduled to make $8 million next season and seems like a candidate to be brought back.
Bullock is only set to make about $4 million in 2020/21 and provides shooting. He could also be a trade piece, so it could benefit the Knicks to bring him back.
Ellington has had a disappointing season while Portis has been inconsistent and is getting $15 million a year. Gibson has provided solid leadership, and the Knicks could bring him back to provide depth at center.
But at some point the Knicks likely will want to move Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup, which could keep them from picking up Gibson’s option.
5. Continue to improve the perception of the Knicks
The perception of the organization has been an issue, and it’s something that Rose is going to have to work to change. With the relationships he has around the league, and considering he’s well-respected already, it’s something he should be able to accomplish.
The Knicks too often are viewed as a team with never-ending losing seasons that can’t attract high-impact stars. That’s an issue and a stumbling block for their future success.
The Knicks haven’t been able to reel in stars, whether it was LeBron James in 2010 or Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last summer.
The losing hasn’t helped, but Rose has to make the Knicks a team that stars could see themselves playing for.
Knicks owner James Dolan brought in branding executive Steve Stoute to help re-brand the team, and that has gotten off to a rocky start.
But it’ll be up to Rose to fix the product on the court, as well as improve the perception of the team around the league. (USA Today/TNS)