ORLANDO, Fla. _ The Knicks could be planning to formally interview with former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin for the opening in their basketball department.
ESPN.com reported that the two sides spoke over the weekend and they would meet within the next few weeks.
The Knicks parted ways with former president Phil Jackson on Wednesday. It's unclear if the Knicks would be talking to Griffin to fill Jackson's spot or to be their general manager.
There are reports that current general manager Steve Mills is being considered for the president's position. When Mills returned to the organization in 2013 following the firing of Glen Grunwald, he was named president and general manager.
Mills is running the Knicks' basketball department right now, and seeing them through this free-agent negotiation period. The Knicks haven't been very active in free agency, only coming to terms with Ron Baker to bring him back on a two-year deal. Mills respectfully declined to speak to reporters Sunday.
"I'm not talking," Mills said. "Nice try, though."
The Knicks brought in former Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Tim Leiweke to assist Mills on an interim basis on the search for a new executive.
It was believed Raptors president Masai Ujiri was high on the Knicks' list. Leiweke brought Ujiri to Toronto. But the Knicks would have to give up compensation, likely in the form of draft picks, to get him out of his contract.
Since the Knicks are rebuilding they don't want to part with any first-round picks. So Ujiri is not currently a candidate.
Griffin is a free agent, after the Cavaliers didn't renew his contract following three straight seasons of reaching the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks wouldn't have to give up any compensation for him.
