Steve Mills believes the Knicks roster former general manager Glen Grunwald built is good enough to win a title this season. But apparently it was not enough for Grunwald to keep his job.
In his first move as Knicks president/GM, Mills on Monday picked up the contract option on coach Mike Woodson for the 2014-15 season. And in the first press conference of his term, Mills spoke boldly of the Knicks’ chances this season.
Something doesn’t wash, but often it doesn’t in the unorthodox world of owner James Dolan, who believes Mills is the guy to lead the eventual reconstruction of the Knicks. They are set to have salary cap space in 2015, but need to prepare by re-signing Carmelo Anthony this summer.
No, Mills was unable to explain the logic behind firing Grunwald four days before training camp after he assembled a title-caliber roster.
“Our goal is to win a championship this year,’’ Mills said. “We feel like we need to build on the success we had last year. While we have long-term goals, our near-time goal is the same as they’ve been. Our goal is to win a championship. We think we have a good chance to do that.’’
The Woodson announcement removes the coach’s lame-duck status before training camp, but it hardly assures Woodson will last until next season, especially if the Knicks — who finished second in the East last season — take a step back. Dolan was known to be displeased with Woodson’s performance in the team’s second-round playoff ouster against the Pacers this spring.
“I had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with Mike Woodson [in recent days],’’ Mills said. “I watched the team a lot last year. I was happy to see what he was able to do with the team. The first thing I decided to do was exercise the option on his contract.’’
Woodson’s job appeared to be on shaky ground last week after Mills replaced Grunwald, who tabbed Woodson and has a strong allegiance to the 55-year-old coach dating back to their days as college teammates at Indiana.
“I don’t know if there was weight on my shoulders, but I’m excited Steve Mills and Mr. Dolan have given me the opportunity to come back another year,’’ Woodson said. “I’m extremely grateful.‘’
Mills was asked several different ways about the unusual timing of his hire and Grunwald’s reassignment to an advisory role.
“I can’t answer the question as to why Jim made the decision [now],’’ Mills said. “What Glen and I have agreed is Glen will stay on as adviser and help me in my transition. I think Jim’s ultimate objective was continue on the success we’ve had over the last couple of years. How do we continue to grow and how do we continue to build, make this franchise and the basketball part of the organization the best it can possibly be.’’
Asked about the suddenness of Grunwald’s departure last Thursday, Woodson said, “I have nothing to do with that change. I wish him nothing but the best. We go back 34 years as you know. I wish him well from the bottom of my heart.”
One of Mills’ first remarks Monday was stating his belief Carmelo Anthony, who can opt out of his contract to become a free agent after this season, will be retained.
“We are fortunate to have a player like Carmelo on our roster,’’ Mills said. “He’s one of the superstars who don’t come around very often. While it is premature in the process, we have made it very clear we have every intention of making Carmelo a Knick for a long time to come.’’
Dolan is viewing Mills and assistant GM Allan Houston as a tandem to rebuild the franchise as it enters a pivotal period.
Mills said of Houston, “I think he’s an up-and-coming great basketball executive.’’
Mills, the former Garden sports president who once hired Isiah Thomas, said he’s looking to revamp the organization’s philosophy and mentioned a movement toward more analytics. In this age of a punitive luxury tax, signing players whose production outstrips their contracts is crucial. Mills hinted he could hire another front-office type, perhaps one who specializes in advanced statistics.
“[Jim] felt in today’s environment of the NBA with the punitive nature of the tax structure and the salary cap that he wants to have an organization that is the best in the NBA,’’ Mills said. “He felt it was time to bring someone in who can take a look at every aspect of running a basketball business.’’
Though he hired Thomas and was in office during the Anucha Browne Sanders sexual harassment case, Mills said he had no regrets from his first term at the Garden.