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The New York Knicks officially announced their recent front office hires Wednesday, with Brock Aller (VP of basketball and strategic planning), Walt Perrin (assistant GM, colloege scouting) and Frank Zanin (assistant GM, pro scouting) coming aboard.
The Knicks officially announce they've hired 3 new people for their front office
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) May 27, 2020
— Brock Aller https://t.co/3MLZyPMrwk
— Walt Perrin https://t.co/YUXGdW1Yhl
— Frank Zanin https://t.co/EKjUEBMlNQ
— Scott Perry will stay on as GM https://t.co/GOasMqYgZ4 pic.twitter.com/l2bwNqVD2O
Now that the front office has been taken care of, president Leon Rose and his crew will turn to the search for a head coach. Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic reported that Tom Thibodeau remains the front-runner, though current head coach Mike Miller and former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson will also get interviews.
From @ShamsCharania and I: The Knicks have a timetable emerging for their head coaching search and Tom Thibodeau is the leading candidate, sources tell The Athletic. More info on all that and who else could get an interview here: https://t.co/kxqsKiAPo6
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) May 27, 2020
The one caveat: If the Knicks are brought back to play out this season, Miller would remain the head coach until the season (or play-in tournament, or whatever) is finished.
The idea that Thibs is the front-runner isn’t exactly new — the rumor mill has connected the former Bulls and Timberwolves coach to the Knicks for a while. He’s a CAA client and supposedly close with Leon Rose. This is, however, the first time Atkinson has been linked to the Knicks. Personally, I tend to lean more toward Atkinson, though I’m in the minority at P&T Headquarters. Could he jump over Thibs with a good interview, or is this already a fait accompli? We’ll find out whenever this season finally ends.