3. Mike Zarren
Luring lifelong Boston Celtics fans and current Boston Celtics assistant general manager Mike Zarren away from TD Garden will be tough. If the New York Knicks are able to sell Zarren on becoming the team’s next general manager, however, it would be one heck of a move.
Zarren is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant executives in the NBA, and he would provide an immediate spark to the Knicks.
Zarren is a featured member in a Celtics organization that’s been stockpiling assets for years on end. Between its surplus of draft picks and simultaneous success on a postseason-caliber level, Boston has earned the respect of the masses.
Zarren is widely regarded as the smartest guy in whichever room he enters—a reputation that he’s earned with hard work.
Zarren has a Harvard Law degree, is well-versed in basketball analytics, and is known to be one of the better salary cap guys in the NBA. He would assemble a high-quality staff from top to bottom, and would work to pull New York out from underneath irresponsible salaries.
New York needs a responsible lead executive who values the NBA Draft, knows the value of long-term assets, and won’t overpay players. Zarren checks those boxes.