The Knicks’ new front-office hierarchy is making its first move. And it involves the new front-office hierarchy.
According to multiple league sources, Gerald Madkins will be named the Knicks new assistant general manager, leaving the Clippers, where he was director of basketball operations since September 2012.
Madkins, 48, who played parts of three NBA seasons with the Cavaliers and Warriors, has been an executive with four other NBA teams — including the Knicks, for whom he served as a scout from 2003-2007.
Sources said Madkins was “going to New York” after his time in Los Angeles, but the Knicks have not formally announced the hire. That could come this week. One other source, acknowledging the team’s interest, said any definitive claims of a hire were “premature.” But that could be a matter of a variation on Yogi Berra’s claim that “it’s not done till it’s done.”
Madkins would join a front office that was remade following the firing of Phil Jackson in late June. Steve Mills, the former general manager, has been promoted to team president. He quickly hired Scott Perry away from the Kings to be his general manager. Mills and Perry were introduced last Monday.
Madkins and Perry worked together in Seattle, where Madkins was the director of West Coast scouting for the then-Supersonics in 2007-08.
Before working with the Clippers, Madkins was vice president of player personnel for two seasons in New Orleans. Prior to his work there with the then-Hornets, Madkins was the Rockets director of scouting from 2008-2010.
Before that, Madkins served his time in Seattle and during his stretch there, the Sonics draft picks included Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. Madkins’ stint with the Knicks preceded his Seattle venture.
Madkins’ extensive scouting background seems to comply with what Mills and Perry proclaimed to be among the etched-in-stone aims of the Knicks: youth and player development.
“We’re going to emphasize youth, athleticism, teamwork and defense,” Mills said. “Player development will be a focus of our organization. It’s important for us to find ways for our young players to get better, find ways for us to have our veterans get better.”
Madkins joining the Knicks was first reported by The Undefeated.