What's next for the Knicks? No one has any clue, and if anyone claims to know that doesn't have a direct pipeline to Leon Rose, they are lying. News broke that the Knicks were going to hire former player agent Leon Rose on February 6, but he didn't become officially take the job until March 2. His only rumored hire to date was revealed on Tuesday, a former Cavaliers salary cap expert named Brock Aller.
The Knicks declined to have a press conference to introduce Rose, and nine days later the NBA season was indefinitely postponed. There's a good chance the Knicks will not play another game this season. We know nothing about what Leon Rose's plan is for the team and there is no way to know when he might talk to the fans and media to present some sense of direction.
Rose, a former player agent, has no experience managing an NBA front office. The good news is that he is a basketball junkie that loves the game and played point guard in high school. After considering going into coaching, he rose through the agent ranks after starting with clients like former Knick Rick Brunson. All indications are he loves the game and strives to understand it. It also doesn't seem like he craves the spotlight, which isn't a bad thing either.
The bad news is that there are no guarantees he understands how to manage and build a competent NBA front office. There's no evidence he knows (or doesn't know) how to construct a well-balanced and winning team. There are a number of monumental decisions Rose will have to make in the coming months that will determine the Knicks' future.
Build A Front Office
While Rose hasn't hired a general manager, according to multiple reports, he is on the verge of hiring Cavaliers executive Brock Aller as vice president of strategy. Aller was the Cavaliers capologist that had the full confidence of well-respected executive David Griffin, whom the Knicks showed interest in before hiring Scott Perry as the general manager.
The job description varies by reports, but it seems as though he will act as Rose's sounding board and advisor in putting together a front office, building out the organization, and building a team. Since Aller has never done a job like this before, he has no track record. There's no way to know how good he will be at it. It is a very good sign, however, that Rose is looking to a respected NBA executive from outside the Knicks organization with experience to help him try to rebuild the Knicks.
The more outside, independent voices that Rose has access to in order to feel out and succeed at his new role, the better. Scott Perry remains the current Knicks general manager, but there are reports his contract expires this summer. There is no indication he will be retained or let go. Rose would be best served searching out some of the best assistant general managers around the league to fill the role, who are people Aller probably has relationships with and can help find.
As he goes further down the organization, putting an improved player development regime in place will also be essential. There is a lot of work to do and it's a good thing Rose is finally starting to put the pieces together.
Hire A Head Coach
As important as hiring the right general manager might be, finding the right head coach is even more important. The head coach sets the tone for the entire organization and gives the team an identity with the style of play he wants to implement. Mike Miller was solid in replacing David Fizdale, but it is considered unlikely he will retain the job. His performance might have earned him a spot on the next coach's staff.
Rose has links to familiar names like Jon Calipari, Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. There are arguments to be made for all of those names except for Jackson. Rose would be foolish not to consider someone like Kenny Atkinson, who improved a Nets team bereft of high-end talent and developed several young players. This decision will help shape what Rose's Knicks will look like for years to come.
Draft The Right Player
Winning the lottery would help make this easier, but good things like that haven't happened to the Knicks since 1985. There are no easy answers in this year's draft with varying opinions on the top of the class. If the standings remain what they are, the Knicks can pick as low as tenth with a 50% chance of selecting seventh or eighth.
There are guards (LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes, Cole Anthony, Tyrese Haliburton, RJ Hampton), and wings (Anthony Edwards, Isaac Okoro, Den Avdija, Devin Vassell) to choose from for the Knicks. Picking a star is not essential, but selecting someone that can start or play a significant role on a good team is paramount.
Handle Free Agency
Is Rose going to hoard cap space? Is he going to use it acquire more picks? Will he sign a player like Fred Van Vleet? It is unclear how much urgency Rose has in improving the team. Will he wait another offseason before trying to strike or will he feel the pressure to make a splash this summer? Perhaps he tries to trade for a star? How he decides to handle free agency will give clues to his long-term strategy more so than anything else.
You can find John on twitter at @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and the world of sports. The most recent episode of "The Bank Shot," my Knicks podcast is with Alex Wolfe from Sports Illustrated and can be found here. You can subscribe to the Bank Shot here.
