The New York Knicks still do not have a President of Basketball Operations nearly two weeks into the free agency period. The team interviewed former Cavs’ general manager David Griffin for the job, but he soon thereafter withdrew his name from consideration.
The reported reason for Griffin’s decision was the Knicks’ unwillingness to allow Griffin to bring his own staff. More specifically, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Griffin wanted the Knicks to replace longtime assistant GM Allan Houston.
A source told the Daily News that one of Griffin’s requests was to remove Houston, who has been with the Knicks as a player or an executive for the majority of the last 20 years. With Dolan’s support as one of the owner’s all-time favorite players (remember that $100 million contract extension), Houston rapidly ascended in New York’s front office and many believe he’s being groomed as the next GM under Mills.
The Knicks have kept the same major staff for years despite a revolving door of PoBO’s, most recently featuring the fired Phil Jackson. Owner James Dolan seems to be loyal to the staff despite a long run of disappointment. Griffin likely wanted to replace Houston with his assistant GM in Cleveland (Trent Redden) who was also let go by the Cavs along with the GM.
If the Knicks are going to hire a respected and legitimate candidate to run their basketball operations, they will need to meddle less in his work, including letting him pick his own staff. They are running out of options.
