The New York Knicks were planning on replacing one iconic NBA legend with another to run the team. According to Mitch Lawrence of Forbes, team owner James Dolan tried to shoot his shot and attempted to hire Jerry West as Phil Jackson's successor as Knicks team president.
Before Knicks named Steve Mills prez, MSG chief James Dolan had Irving Azoff ask Jerry West if he had interest in position, per source…
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) November 1, 2017
…Source: West told Azoff that the timing was bad to come to NY to succeed Phil Jackson. West now a consultant for Clips owner Steve Ballmer.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) November 1, 2017
When the Knicks handed Jackson his walking papers back in the summer of this year, there was a huge void left to fill in the team’s front office.
Jackson’s stint with the Knicks wasn’t exactly a memorable one as New York failed to reach the playoffs during the three years he held an executive position in Manhattan. Following his firing, Jackson was succeeded by Steve Mills, who was promoted from general manager to team president after a fruitless external search for Jackson’s successor.
The jury is still out for Mills, but his reign as team president took off controversially by making a much-maligned decision to sign Tim Hardaway Jr. to a hefty contract.
West, meanwhile, would have been a great choice for the Knicks based on his track record alone. West is a two-time Executive of the Year Award winner for his work as former team architect of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
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