The New York Knicks continue to tinker with their front office. After recently announcing that Scott Perry would remain the team's general manager under new president Leon Rose, the Knicks are hiring two new assistant general managers. New York is finalizing a deal to make former Utah Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Additionally, the Knicks are hiring Frank Zanin as the other assistant general manager, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
In this setup, the Knicks plan to have Perrin control college scouting, while Zanin will be in charge of pro personnel scouting. Both will work in concert with Perry under Rose. Perrin spent 19 seasons with the Jazz in several roles, and also previously served as a scout for both the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, while Zanin had been in Oklahoma CIty's front office since 2016, and he previously served as an assistant GM in Brooklyn.
In February, the Knicks parted way with Steve Mills after seven years as president of the organization. At the time, Perry took over basketball operations for New York on an interim basis. Then in early March, Rose was officially named the Knicks' new president. After taking the job, Rose asked Knicks fans for patience as he tries to help the team climb back to contention.
"Our team has young talent, significant future assets [including seven first-round picks over the next four years] and an ample amount of financial flexibility in the coming years," Rose said. "Everyone -- from ownership to athletes to staff and especially our fans -- wants this team to be a winner. We will have all the resources necessary to create a great organization -- one that supports our efforts to build a winning culture and gives Knicks fans, and the city of New York, the team you deserve.
"Nothing about this is easy so I ask for your continued patience. What I promise you in return is that I will be honest and forthright. We will develop a plan that makes sense, both to jumpstart our short-term growth and ensure our long-term success. Our team will work hard, stick together and ensure we live up to the honor of wearing the New York Knicks jersey."
Perry was hired by the Knicks as general manager in July of 2017, but the team's lack of success since led some to believe that he would be replaced under Rose. However, Rose clearly respects Perry, and is not yet ready to move in a different direction.
"Scott is a well-respected basketball executive who I have known for more than 20 years," Rose said in a statement last month. "I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as we look to build a winning team in New York."
Rose may have faith in Perry's abilities as a general manager, but he will also want results -- something that Perry hasn't really been able to deliver up to this point during his tenure with the team. Thus, the fact that Perry was retained on only a one-year deal makes it seem like an audition of sorts. If Rose is satisfied with the direction that the Knicks move in over the next year he could look to lock Perry up longer. If not, the team could very well look to go in a different direction, and now Perrin, or Zanin, could be next in line should the Knicks ultimately decide to move on from Perry.
