Despite the lure of running his beloved, hometown Knicks, Warrior GM Chris Mullin recently told confidants he’s leery of working for the moribund franchise, feeling it could be too big a task to turn around.
The Post reported exclusively during Thanksgiving week a Knicks intermediary casually gauged his interest in the Knick GM job if it became available this offseason while he attended Nov. 20’s Warrior-Knick game.
With the sexual-harassment suit officially settled yesterday, Thomas could be as vulnerable as ever come spring if the Knicks are out of the playoff hunt and franchise center Eddy Curry continues his regression.
The Post reported that, in a postgame meeting Saturday night, owner James Dolan told Thomas his job is not in jeopardy.
During his five-day visit to New York that week, Mullin told multiple confidants about the informal conversation with a Knick intermediary.
According to two sources who spoke to Mullin, he likes his image in New York the way it is and would be afraid an unsuccessful run as GM would “destroy” it.
Mullin, 43, the Brooklyn native and former St. John’s superstar, has turned around the Warriors (11-9) in his four years as GM, as they posted arguably the biggest upset in playoff history, knocking out Dallas, which beat the Knicks last night, 99-89.
Mullin also told the confidants he enjoys the Bay Area and wouldn’t be used to the intense scrutiny the Knicks are under.
The Knicks could encounter similar problems in landing a high-profile GM such as Toronto’s Bryan Colangelo, Indiana’s Donnie Walsh or unemployed Jerry West because of their salary-cap mess.
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Malik Rose said his decision to ask Thomas to place him on the inactive is not related to a trade or buyout demand. However, a Rose confidant said he would love to be dealt, but is wary of putting pressure on Knicks management.
Rose confirmed he has asked to be put on the inactive list to stay in shape, unhappy with his current role. Speculation is that Rose wants to be in the best shape in case he is dealt.
Rose said he is uncomfortable with his role, in which he is unsure if he’ll play and thus can’t do a full workout on game days.
Thomas denied he’s shopping Rose.
“That conversation has not taken place,” Thomas said. “His leadership is invaluable in the locker room.”
A source said Rose came to this decision after playing just 4:40 last week vs. the Nets when Eddy Curry was in foul trouble.