Knicks legend Willis Reed holds a special place in team history

Everyone knows that center Willis Reed is one of the most important players in New York Knicks history. But there’s also one very specific accomplishment that separates him from the team’s other former greats. Heres’ the New York Post:

The 1 and only… Knick to win MVP of the NBA Finals: Willis Reed

The Time: May 8 1970; May 10, 1973.

The Background: The Knicks, despite being a charter member of the NBA, had never won a championship despite being in the Finals three straight years (1951, ’52, ’53), losing twice to George Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers and once to the Rochester Royals (featuring a point guard named Red Holzman). The Knicks also lost NBA Finals trips in 1972, ’94 and ’99).

Clyde Frazier deserves a very honorary head-nod here, as the article goes on to point out.

New Yorkers look forward to the day when it isn’t just Reed who has won this honor.

Knicks reportedly hiring Frank Zanin as assistant GM

Here’s the New York Post with some Knicks news:

Leon Rose’s latest addition likely would have earned Kobe Bryant’s approval.

One day after the new Knicks president brought aboard longtime Jazz executive Walt Perrin as the assistant general manager in charge of college scouting, Rose continued his front office makeover by adding former Nets assistant general manager Frank Zanin, who will have the same title with the Knicks, focusing on pro personnel.

Zanin, who has spent the past four seasons as an advance scout for the Thunder, was endorsed by Bryant for the Nets’ GM job in 2016. Zanin and Bryant first became acquainted playing basketball in the Philadelphia-area, where Zanin’s career began as a scout for the 76ers.

And here’s New York Newsday:

Zanin most recently served as a scout for the Thunder, a role he held the last four years. Prior to that, he served a variety of roles for the Nets, joining Billy King, who he had worked for with the 76ers, as a pro personnel scout and then earning promotions to director of player procurement and then assistant general manager…

During his time with the Nets, Zanin was credited with playing a role in signing Mirza Teletovic and re-signing Deron Williams, who coincidentally was drafted by the Jazz when Perrin pushed for the Jazz to trade up to get him.

Knicks will reportedly hire Walt Perrin for front office

Here’s New York Newsday reporting on a front office addition that the Knicks are set to make:

The Knicks are finalizing a deal to bolster their front office by adding veteran NBA executive Walt Perrin, according to a league source.

Leon Rose, who was named team president March 2, added Brock Aller earlier this month to serve as chief strategist, specializing in helping with the salary cap. In Perrin, Rose lands a seasoned scouting presence.

Perrin is expected to serve as assistant general manager/college scouting. He worked for the Utah Jazz the last 19 years as vice president of player personnel.

And here’s the Deseret News reporting:

Perrin has long been respected throughout the league for being one of the most well connected figures when it comes to NBA prospects and scouting.

A native of Chicago, Perrin started his NBA career as a scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1993 and spent time with the Detroit Pistons in the scouting and coaching departments before joining the Jazz.

Knicks may be interested in RJ Hampton for 2020 NBA draft

The Knicks drafted RJ Barrett in the lottery last year. Will they take another RJ in the 2020 NBA draft? here’s the New York Post reporting:

According to a source, RJ Hampton, who skipped college to play in New Zealand, is another point-guard-type under consideration by the Knicks if they select between sixth and 10th in the draft currently slated for June 25.

NBA insiders believe the speedy 6-foot-5, 19-year-old combo guard has been under the radar as a top-10 player because the Dallas native played on the other side of the world and saw his season cut short by a hip injury.

Leon Rose strongly pursued Hampton as a client when Rose was a superagent for Creative Artists Agency before accepting the Knicks’ presidency. Now Rose could join forces with him in a different manner in pairing Hampton with shooting guard RJ Barrett.

The Knicks have nine players on guaranteed contracts signed through the 2020-21 season, but only one guaranteed contract for 2021-22.

Some insight on NBA draft prospect Cole Anthony

Here’s the New York Post reporting on 2020 NBA draft prospect Cole Anthony, with insight from trainer Chris Brickley:

While the knee injury is considered a negative to some, Brickley termed it “a pivotal moment.” Anthony returned on Feb. 1 after a six-week absence.

“Ninety percent of projected lottery picks, with the team not doing well, they’re not going to come back,” Brickley said. “That spoke volumes. He came back the first few games, took charges and sacrificed his body. It was a testament to his toughness and how much he cares.”

Brickley started training Anthony when he was 16 and playing for Archbishop Molloy in Queens. Anthony transferred to basketball factory Oak Hill Academy, where in 2018-19 he averaged a triple double (18.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 10.2 assists).

Though he logged UNC numbers of 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and four assists per game, he shot an inefficient 38 percent. Criticism also surfaced about him not being a good enough playmaker who makes teammates better.

The big draft news lately is that both the draft lottery and combine, which were to take place later this month, have been postponed. It remains to be seen if the actual draft will take place in late June as per usual.

Knicks will keep general manager Scott Perry for next season

The Knicks will keep roster decision-maker Scott Perry next season. Here’s New York Newsday reporting:

The Leon Rose era will begin with a familiar face: The Knicks have decided to retain Scott Perry as general manager.

They confirmed that Perry will remain with a statement from Rose, the new team president.

“Scott is a well-respected basketball executive who I have known for more than 20 years, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as we look to build a winning team in New York,” Rose said.

While the season remains in limbo right now because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Knicks needed to make a decision on Perry because of a mutual option set to trigger on May 1.

The Knicks roster will likely undergo huge changes in the next offseason. Perry’s main goal at this point is to find long-term building blocks, and to avoid giving superstar-level free agent contracts to players who are not superstars.

Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa to enter 2020 NBA draft

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on a top prospect for the next NBA draft:

Memphis freshman forward Precious Achiuwa is entering the 2020 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Friday…

Achiuwa, the No. 12 prospect in the ESPN Top 100, emerged as one of the most productive freshmen in college basketball, winning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.

He averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steals for the Tigers, establishing himself as one of the most versatile defenders in the country.

Achiuwa is listed at 6-foot-9, 225 lbs, and was born in Queens, New York.

The draft is scheduled for its usual time — late June — though the NBA may issue some scheduling updates in May that could change just about anything as far as 2020 events are concerned.

Knicks will reportedly hire Brock Aller for front office

The Knicks will reportedly soon add to their front office. Here’s New York Newsday:

Leon Rose has been silent since taking over last month as Knicks team president, but he is expected to make his first front office move shortly.

A league source confirmed an SNY.TV report that Brock Aller, who has served as Dan Gilbert’s righthand man in Cleveland with the official title of Senior Director of Basketball Operations, is expected to join the Knicks front office within the next week.

Aller officially joined the Cavs in 2013 after working with Gilbert, the Cavs’ chairman and principal owner, for 10 years. He spent four seasons as the team’s Senior Director, Strategic Planning before being promoted to his current position in July 2017.

The Knicks were an Eastern conference 12th-best 21-45 this NBA season, which has been suspended since mid March due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Will Kevin Knox be a part of Knicks future?

Here’s the New York Post reporting on young Knicks swingman Kevin Knox, who has a lot of work to do to solidify his place in the league:

I’m told one of team president Leon Rose’s biggest regrets from the suspension of the season’s final 16 games because of the coronavirus was not getting a closer look at his enigmatic second-year forward. According to a source, Rose still doesn’t know what to make of Knox and doesn’t know if the 20-year-old is part of their future. That is despite Kentucky coach John Calipari’s warning not to trade Knox (Calipari and Rose are close.)

Right now, most players on the Knicks roster could very well be wearing different uniforms by the time next season rolls around.

Could Cole Anthony be the right pick for Knicks?

Here’s the New York Post reporting on guard Cole Anthony, who is going pro after one season at UNC:

The Knicks need a point guard and there is a highly rated one who lives just a few subway stops from the Garden. It could be a perfect match, one that Cole Anthony — the son of former Knicks guard Greg Anthony — would welcome.

“It would be pretty cool,” the Upper West Side native and one-and-done former North Carolina star told The Post in an exclusive interview. “I was a fan for a good amount of time. I do like the Knicks. I think they definitely can use a guard, a good scoring point guard. If that happens, it would be pretty cool to play in front of my little brother.” …

If the Knicks did take Anthony, he would join a young core that includes RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox. A lot of pressure would come with staying home, expectations to get the once-proud franchise back on track. But Anthony has dealt with pressure for most of his life, as the son of Greg Anthony and an elite recruit dating back to his freshman year of high school.

The draft is scheduled for June 25.