Steve Stoute: Raptors ‘brought in Drake to bring that thing. The New York Knicks brought in me’

UPDATE: Maybe Steve Stoute doesn’t have as much voice as he thinks.

After the marketing consultant’s words on ESPN spread across the NBA world on Tuesday, the Knicks pumped the breaks, told him to stay in his lane, and issued this statement.

“While Steve Stoute is a valued contributor to the Knicks’ marketing and branding efforts, he does not speak on behalf of New York Knicks personnel and basketball operations. Any decisions regarding the operations of the team will be made by the new President of the New York Knicks.”

Stoute also had a statement.

“In my excitement to defend the Knicks on live TV today, I inadvertently insinuated about Knicks personnel. I look forward to working with Knicks management to elevate the great Knicks brand moving forward.”

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Knicks owner James Dolan went on radio last spring and predicted success in free agency. Everyone assumed he meant Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Not only did the Knicks strike out, those stars signed with the crosstown Nets. Durant even declared the Knicks to be uncool.

So, the Knicks hired Steve Stoute, who’s described as a branding guru.

The Knicks will reportedly hire agent Leon Rose to run their front office. But Stoute is already out front trying to change the Knicks’ image.

That included appearing on ESPN today:

Stoute:

The biggest thing is getting free agents and players to know that this is a place they show up at. This is where they should be. I think that narrative has been lost. So, players haven’t come. A free agent hasn’t come. And if we can sort of solve that problem, which I know we will, we have a great chance. We’re the most iconic team in the league by far.

New York City is the hub of sports and entertainment. That’s how I feel. And it started moving around. My job is to bring it back. Toronto Raptors, they brought in Drake. Right? They brought in Drake to bring that thing. The New York Knicks brought in me.

There had to be a change, right? So, there is a change. That change will bring a new coach and new coaches that are going to help develop these younger players, right? And they’ve got some young superstars. You see R.J. Barrett, Mitch Robinson.

I’m part of a team, and I’m going to be part of a team. But I’ve got a lot of voice.

There’s a lot happening in that interview.

R.J. Barrett and Mitchell Robinson are young superstars? The Knicks are apparently back on the on-again, off-again star hunt. Stoute sure didn’t quiet questions about his involvement in basketball operations by saying, “I’ve got a lot of voice.”

But I’m most intrigued by Stoute comparing himself to Drake. I really hope Stoute didn’t mean “win a championship” when he said “bring that thing.”

Drake had practically nothing to do with Toronto winning last year’s title.

The Raptors won because they made a daring trade for Kawhi Leonard… because they bet on Kyle Lowry, who willed himself to greatness… because they identified and developed players like Pascal Siakam. Toronto’s basketball operations – from executives to coaches to players – made that happen.

Even if Stoute meant only in terms of recognition as entertainment venture, it’s still a wild comparison. Drake is a highly popular singer. Stoute is barely known outside the industry.

I can see a couple similarities, though. Stoute – who casually mentioned Stephen Curry and LeBron James during this interview – could get the Knicks fined for tampering just like Drake got the Raptors fined for tampering. Toronto also didn’t get the free agent, Durant, Drake was recruiting.