We’ll finally get to see Knicks through Rose-colored glasses
We’re eight months into a pandemic and eight months into Leon Rose’s tenure. Yet there remains no clear picture about the man in charge’s plans, and what he represents as an executive. He became the first NBA team president in memory to never hold an introductory press conference, and the only firm answers about the franchise’s direction have been relayed by MSG’s branding bloviator Steve Stoute. That’s about to change.
Over the next two weeks, Rose’s plans will become obvious, whether he discusses them or not. The trade moratorium lifts Monday. The draft is Wednesday. Free agency follows almost immediately. It’s a condensed and pressure-packed offseason being navigated by a novice, Rose, whose tenure thus far can best be described as a game of connect-the-CAA-dots.
Rose’s decisions will tell us whether the Knicks, under his watch, are aiming for immediate contention or continuing their rebuild. If he makes a run at Russell Westbrook or deals prospects/picks for a win-now piece, the timeline is shifted. If he keeps the draft pick, signs young free agents and acquires assets, the development stage moves forward. If he maintains cap space for next summer, prepare for the run at Giannis Antetokounmpo. From what we’ve gathered from two sources who’ve been in contact with the Knicks about roster decisions, Tom Thibodeau is pushing win-now moves. That’s predictable. It’s how the coach is wired. Thibodeau is also a former team president who acknowledged having a say in New York’s roster construction.
“I think the important thing for me is to just be able to have a voice,” Thibodeau said recently. “I’ve known Leon and (top Knicks executive William Wesley) for a long time, so they’ve asked my opinion on a number of things. Doesn’t mean that they’re always going to do what I ask them to do, but I think there’s a trust factor there, so I do think that’s important.”
We’ll see shortly how this shakes out. The Knicks need talent and there’s enough out there to construct a playoff team this summer, which, after seven straight lottery seasons, should be a priority. But a word of advice: avoid Westbrook. He’s a deteriorating 32-yearold who has relied on explosiveness throughout his career, who has already undergone seven surgeries – some more serious than others -- needs the ball to be happy and doesn’t shoot particularly well. Never mind the contract.
Committing assets to a Victor Oladipo trade makes more sense, and there are signs Indiana is hunting for a partner. Not that it should affect any trades, but his agent Aaron Turner basically denied Friday that his client wants to play for the Knicks. Responding to the report that Oladipo told players on three teams — including the Knicks — “Can I come play with y’all,” Turner said on Sirius XM NBA Radio, “There’s no truth to it. I don’t believe it for one second. Some of the teams named in there, I’m not going to take a shot at any teams, but Vic wants to win a championship. He wants to bring a championship to Indy of course, but if he’s not at Indy, he wants to win at the highest level. Some of those teams, they’re not even contenders. The basis of that makes no sense to me.”
Turner, who also represents Kevin Knox, didn’t mention the Knicks specifically, but considering the other teams cited in the report are contenders — the Raptors and Heat — it’s an easy deduction.
Rose, meanwhile, clearly doesn’t feel compelled to discuss anything beforehand with the media or fans. And something tells us James Dolan, who, according to the New York Times, is paying Rose a hefty salary of $8 million per year, doesn’t mind the silence. The owner was burned last year after he declared the Knicks were signing star free agents in a radio interview. He became the face of the failure because somebody gave the owner bad info. Rose and Wesley have avoided the spotlight their entire careers as behindthe-scenes power brokers. They weren’t hired for their media savvy.
In some ways, it’s refreshing. Phil Jackson talked a lot about triangles and systems and produced nothing but agony. Steve Mills droned on-and-on about relationships and culture building and development and “changing the perception.” He flopped.
Rose is clearly taking the tact of actions over words. With few words over eight months, we’ll see plenty of his actions in the next two weeks.
FRESH INTEL NOTES
The Knicks officially added Larry Greer as an advance scout/assistant coach. He is the brother of Andy Greer, who is also an assistant with the Knicks, and both have long ties to Thibodeau. … Another rumored candidate for a Knicks position, Rick Brunson, just left his position as head coach of Camden High School. Brunson had been working out Kevin Knox, among other NBA players in prospects, in South Jersey during the shutdown. Brunson, a former Knick guard, was Rose’s first NBA client in the 90s and a member of Thibodeau’s staff in Chicago and Minnesota. … We’ve heard about two respected coaches that Thibodeau tried — but couldn’t — recruit on his staff: Darren Erman, who is with the Celtics, and, more recently, Chris Finch, the current Pelicans’ associate head coach. … Oregon guard Payton Pritchard is among the draft prospects the Knicks are targeting for their 27th pick, according to a source.