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Scott Perry Hired as General Manager of New York Knicks

In what Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo dubbed as the "Summer of Hell", Scott Perry is the General Manager of the New York Knicks.

In what the Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo dubbed as the “Summer of Hell”, one can easily mistake him as talking about the New York Knicks. However, after several questionable decisions, Scott Perry is the General Manager of the New York Knicks.

Scott Perry Hired as General Manager of New York Knicks

Summer 2017 in a Nutshell

After a forgettable season on the court littered with incidents off it, the Knicks and Phil Jackson finally parted ways. Optimism was beginning to creep back into the Knicks fan base. Noted fans like legendary filmmaker Spike Lee showed their approval of the change on social media.

https://twitter.com/SpikeLee/status/880414029352759296

Most were aware though that this was the Knicks, therefore a wrinkle would present itself. In a statement team owner James Dolan (himself much maligned) outlined the future plans for the Knicks. “While we are currently evaluating how best to move forward regarding the leadership of the organization, I will not be involved in the operation of the team,” continued Mr. Dolan. “Steve Mills, the team’s general manager, will run the day-to-day business of the organization over the short term. Tim Leiweke, who brings tremendous expertise and experience in sports franchise management from both Toronto and Los Angeles and is our partner in the Oak View Group, will advise and work with Steve on an interim basis to help develop a go-forward plan.” 

There was speculation that Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri was the potential replacement. Recently displaced Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin was also a strong candidate.

The Knickery Continued

The GM of the New York Knicks requires several things: patience, intelligence, and touch skin. While the Knicks were considering Griffin, President and Acting GM Steve Mills signed free agent guard and one time Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. to a contract offer sheet.

ESPN writer and editor Kevin Arnovitz poignantly dubbed the missteps of the Knicks front-office as “Knickery”. ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks perfectly summarized Hardaway Jr.’s departure from the Knicks.

There was also the matter of whether Hardaway was worth such an exorbitant contract as well. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski reported:

One potential stumbling block to the Knicks’ pursuit of Griffin, league sources said: the willingness of the organization to allow Griffin to bring his own front office staff to Madison Square Garden. Much of the Knicks’ front office has survived several unsuccessful regimes, and the organization has been hesitant to make sweeping changes to the group, league sources said.

Talks with Griffin broke down quickly after the Hardaway signing. In later reports, ESPN’s Marc Spears reported: “Ex-Cavs GM David Griffin has pulled his name out of the Knicks’ GM and president search after he couldn’t come to an agreement on the right role with the franchise, a source told The Undefeated.” 

Scott Perry Came Out of Nowhere

New York Post reporter Marc Berman wrote: “Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations Scott Perry has agreed to become the Knicks general manager — the No. 2 job in the front office under acting president Steve Mills. Perry agreed to a deal with the Knicks after meeting with Mills on Thursday, an NBA source confirmed.”

First of all, the Kings hired Perry just last April to be Kings GM Vlade Divac’s assistant. Perry’s previous tenure was with the Orlando Magic, as Assistant GM beneath Rob Henigan. As part of the Magic’s purge, Perry consequently was fired along with Henigan and the entire front office.

Who Exactly is Scott Perry?

Most noteworthy, the resume of Scott Perry is substantial. His front office career began with the Detroit Pistons in 2000 under President Joe Dumars. In 2007, Perry was named Assistant General Manager for the Seattle Supersonics and was on the staff that drafted Kevin Durant. Perry left the Sonics after one season, and the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder. As a result, Perry returned to the Pistons, serving as Vice President of Basketball Operations from 2008-2012.

ESPN’s Ian Begley and Adrian Wojnarowski : “The Knicks are planning to sign Mills to a new multiyear deal as president, promoting him from GM, league sources said. As part of the Perry deal, the Kings and Knicks agreed on a future second-round pick and cash considerations as compensation, sources told ESPN. Mills will still retain ultimate authority in the front office. But Perry will be given freedom to operate as he chooses, league sources said. He will be the day-to-day voice running the basketball side.”

The Kings and Perry issued the following statement:

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Enoch Davy

Enoch Davy

A sports fanatic at heart. Sport is more than games/fun but a teacher of life. Writing is a passion of Enoch's. Learning is life's never-ending pursuit.

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