The New York Knicks have recently made several changes to their front office. But the team hasn’t finished making moves and the coach may be the next position where a change is made. Although there is no clear timetable for the Knicks to appoint a new manager, there is “legitimate internal support” within the organization to hire Kenny Atkinson as the team’s next manager, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
Atkinson was fired from Brooklyn nets in March after leading the team into the postseason in 2019. According to Begley, Atkinson’s ability to develop younger players is a big factor in the Knicks’ interest in him, given that they have a young man. list that includes RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox. From Begley:
As for Atkinson, some of MSG’s support for the former Nets manager stems in part from the success he has had in developing young players. As Brooklyn head coach and assistant to New York and Atlanta, Atkinson has earned a reputation as one of the NBA’s best player development coaches.
The Knicks have several young players – RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina – on the roster. The club also has two first-round picks and one second-round pick in the NBA 2020 Draft. Unless New York uses those players and chooses an exchange package, the club will have one of the youngest rounds of the NBA next season. .
Obviously, Atkinson isn’t the only candidate on the Knicks’ radar, since Tom Thibodeau, a former coach of Bulls and Timberwolves, is one of the best candidates for the team. Knicks’ interim coach Mike Miller, who took over after the David FIzdale fire in December, should also receive an interview. Anyone who eventually takes the concert will be in charge of shaping and developing the young list and, in turn, bringing the Knicks back to the perennial contention in the Eastern Conference. In early March, Leon Rose was officially named the new Knicks president. After accepting the job, Rose asked Knicks fans for patience as she tried to help the team return to contention.
“Our team has young talent, important future resources [including seven first-round picks over the next four years] and ample financial flexibility in the coming years,” said Rose. “Everyone – from the property to the athletes to the staff and in particular to our fans – wants this team to be a winner. We will have all the resources necessary to create a great organization that will support our efforts to build a winning culture and give Knicks fans. and the city of New York, the team you deserve. “
When it comes to coaches, the Knicks haven’t had much luck recently. Since 2012, they have mixed seven different coaches and only have one win in the playoff series to show for this. With Rose now calling the shots, the organization will try to turn their luck in that department with their next rental.