Leon Rose continues to make changes to the New York Knicks’ front office by hiring Utah Jazz’s Walt Perrin and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Frank Zanin.
Sports may still be on hold, but that doesn’t mean sports news stops. Especially when it comes to the New York Knicks! Have you’ve ever been chillin’ at home (duh), and then the next thing you know, your significant other comes in and surprises you with a gift? And not necessarily an extravagant gift. It could be your favorite food from that particular restaurant that you’re always in the mood to eat.
Think about it. Just when you thought you had to get up from the couch after binging your favorite Netflix series and use that last bit of energy to make something mildly satisfactory. BAM! The love of your life walks through that door with a delicious surprise, and it’s like you fell in love all over again (yes, I know I’m a simple person).
That’s how the news felt after Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov (both of The Athletic) reported that Leon Rose hired Walt Perrin and Frank Zanin to be the assistant general managers under Scott Perry. The Knicks (the love of your life for whatever reason) just surprised their fans (you) with their favorite meal, which is hiring competent and well respected assistant general managers.
Sources: The Knicks are finalizing hiring Jazz VP of Player Personnel Walt Perrin as assistant general manager as they reshuffle front office under Leon Rose. Perrin is a well-respected executive who has worked in Jazz organization for 19 years.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 18, 2020
The Knicks are hiring Frank Zanin for an undetermined role for their front office, league sources say. It's not official but they're working towards a deal. He's currently in the Thunder front office but worked as a Nets assistant GM before that.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) May 19, 2020
Perrin and Zanin are Rose’s second and third hires, respectively, after Rose hired Brock Aller (the cap specialist) last month, while also deciding to keep Perry.
What we are witnessing is Rose slowly, but surely, building his front office (or maybe the Avengers) to take on the challenge of making the Knicks a well-respected franchise after 20 years of incompetence (a.k.a. Thanos).
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There’s been a lot of men who’ve accepted the challenge of revitalizing the Knicks and have failed. From Scott Layden to Isiah Thomas, then Donnie Walsh to Glen Grunwald (who wasn’t that bad), to Steve Mills and then Phil Jackson, and then back to Steve Mills – these individuals went through the gauntlet and came out the other end mangled.
Time will tell whether the decisions that Rose has made early on will surpass former Knicks presidents leading during these transitions, but his track record thus far indicates that he’s on the right track, especially with hiring Perrin and Zanin. Both of these men have powerful reputations around the league, which has drawn positive responses from NBA pundits (it’s always a good sign when John Hollinger is complimenting the Knicks).
Wow. Perrin is a road warrior, a fixture at every event with any even remotely relevant prospect. Good get for a Knicks team that needs to be scouring the land for young talent. https://t.co/Y4PGnIBvYd
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) May 18, 2020
Rose still has changes to make that will determine his impact. He has yet to name a head coach, and there is more front-office turnover to occur.
But before we speculate on that, let’s get familiar with his two recent hires who are (hopefully) going to help mold the Knicks into a successful team.