The New York Knicks are changing things up from an organizational standpoint, and are parting ways with team president Steve Mills, however Scott Perry will continue as general manager for the foreseeable future, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Knicks made the move with their eyes focused intently on Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, whom they want to have run their entire operation, and with Ujiri under contract with the Raptors through 2020-21, it appears the Knicks are putting their chips together to either make a trade, or find another route.
Despite their interest, the Knicks have been reluctant to give up draft picks in a deal to acquire Ujiri from Toronto, and his contract is seen as another obstacle in getting a trade completed, per the report.
Mills, 60, has been the Knicks’ president since July 2017, and his ouster comes two days before the NBA trade deadline, so the timing is very interesting, to say the least.
The Knicks fired coach David Fizdale in December, Mike Miller was named interim coach, and have posted a 15-36 record on the season.
“Steve and I have come to the decision that it would be best for him to leave his role as president of the New York Knicks,” Knicks owner James Dolan said in a prepared statement. “We thank Steve for his many years of service to our organization and look forward to continuing our relationship with him as part of our board.”
“It has been a great honor to represent the Knicks,” Mill said in the statement. “I will always be grateful to Jim for giving me the chance to represent this franchise and I’m disappointed we were unable to achieve success for New York. I would like to thank the staff and players for their hard work during my tenure. I will always be a Knicks fan.”