Phil Jackson is going to reshape the Knicks front office in his image, of that there is no doubt. The only question is who will be sitting in what chair once the music stops.
Steve Mills has been kept on as General Manager for now but he can’t feel a ton of job security at this point. Mills is a former agent known for his contacts, the Knicks could use a cap and numbers guy in the mix (although you have to think they have one in house already, there are some smart people there). Brian Geltzeiler of hoopscritic.com and Sirius XM NBA Radio said he heard from the start Mills would be moved to the business side of the Knicks operation.
Meaning apparently Jackson is looking to make a front office addition after the season, reports Mark Stein of ESPN (hat tip to Eye on Basketball). It’s not Steve Kerr, if he comes to NYC it’s to coach. From that jumping off point Stein does an interesting bit of speculation.One of the latest theories in circulation, among rivals coaches and executives, suggests that Jackson will lean on Kerr for guidance if Kerr indeed winds up replacing Woodson. And that would presumably thrust a longtime Kerr associate, such as Cleveland Cavaliers acting general manager David Griffin, into the mix.
Yet, it’s also widely believed that Jackson wants to put off any searching, even for a new right-hand man in the executive suite, until after this season plays out.
Griffin is the guy thrust into the Cavaliers job when Chris Grant was let go mid-season, and Griffin made some smart moves (he brought in Spencer Hawes, for one). They weren’t moves that could savage the Cavaliers season because nothing could, but they were smart moves.
What does that mean for Griffin’s future in Cleveland? Who the heck knows, Dan Gilbert is the owner. It could go any direction.
But if Kerr, Jackson and the Knicks come calling it might be hard for him to say no.
It’s a rumor, just something to watch going forward.
