As Steve Mills continues to work out a Carmelo Anthony trade, the Knicks' general manager has found the person to help him with personnel decisions.
Longtime NBA executive Scott Perry has reached an agreement with the Knicks to become their new general manager, a league source confirmed.
The Knicks met with Perry Thursday after receiving permission from the Sacramento Kings to interview him for their front-office vacancy created when they parted ways with Phil Jackson last month, a source said.
Perry will work under Mills, who is expected to be elevated from general manager to team president. Mills has been running the Knicks' basketball department since Jackson was let go.
Perry, a well-respected and connected NBA executive, was hired by the Kings to be their executive vice president less than three months ago.
It's unclear at this point what kind of compensation the Kings will want to allow Perry to get out of his contract. USA Today reported that the Kings were seeking cash and not necessarily draft picks. Those details were still being worked out.
A good talent evaluator, Perry, 53, has received praise for what many considered a very good summer for the Kings.
They drafted or acquired De'Aaron Fox, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles and Frank Mason on draft night. And in free agency, the Kings added George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter to help their young core.
Before joining the Kings, Perry worked for the Pistons, Thunder and Magic. He was the Pistons' director of player personnel under Joe Dumars from 2001-07. They enjoyed tremendous success and won an NBA championship in 2004.
Perry also spent a year as assistant general manager under Sam Presti in Oklahoma City before returning to Detroit as vice president of basketball operations. He also worked for Orlando as assistant general manager.
The Knicks also considered former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin for the opening. Mills met with Griffin last weekend, but Griffin withdrew his name from consideration after a source said there "was not an opportunity there" for him. Reportedly, Griffin wouldn't have been able to bring in any of his people.
Other names linked to the Knicks included Raptors president Masai Ujiri and Presti. But the compensation in the form of draft picks would have been too steep for the Knicks to pursue them.
Once Perry joins the front office, the Knicks will go back to trying to find a new home for Anthony. They have been discussing trade scenarios with the Rockets that include three- and four-team deals.
Anthony has a no-trade clause that he reportedly would be willing to waive to play for Houston or Cleveland.
The Knicks, Rockets and Anthony's camp are motivated to make a deal, but the hang-up has been finding a team to take forward Ryan Anderson, who has three years and $61 million remaining on his contract. To this point, the Knicks have been reluctant to take Anderson.
