Written by Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley at ESPN.com
The New York Knicks have reached an agreement in principle on a deal with Scott Perry to make him the franchise’s new general manager, league sources told ESPN.
But consummation of the hiring is pending the Knicks and Sacramento Kings arriving at terms on compensation, league sources said. New York and Sacramento have been wrangling over a financial arrangement to allow Perry to accept a promotion with New York, according to the sources.
Perry is the Kings’ vice president of basketball operations. The Kings granted the Knicks permission to meet with Perry, and the two sides sat down in New York on Thursday, league sources said.
Perry would report to Steve Mills, who will be elevated to Knicks president, sources said. Phil Jackson was dismissed as president of basketball operations shortly before the free-agency period.
While Mills will hold ultimate authority in the front office, Perry will be afforded tremendous freedom to operate as he chooses, league sources said. He will be the day-to-day voice running the basketball side.
New York has been searching for a GM who won’t push for an overhaul of the front-office staff, league sources said, as well as an executive who can coexist with Mills, who will have ultimate authority.
Days after Perry was dismissed as the Orlando Magic’s assistant GM in April, the Kings hired him as the front office’s No. 2 to GM Vlade Divac. Perry played a part in selecting Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox with the No. 5 overall pick and making a draft-day trade to move back and draft twice more in the first round, selecting North Carolina’s Justin Jackson and Duke’s Harry Giles.
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