Former Nets assistant GM Frank Zanin is set to join the New York Knicks front office under president Leon Rose.
The New York Knicks continue to add to their front office under new president Leon Rose. According to multiple reports, former Nets assistant general manager Frank Zanin will join the Knicks as assistant GM for pro personnel. The Athletic was first to report on the hiring.
The news comes one day after word broke that New York was hiring Jazz executive Walt Perrin as assistant GM to Scott Perry, who was recently retained for the final option year on his contract. The Knicks also hired cap specialist Brock Aller to an influential role in April.
Zanin will join Perrin in a complimentary role, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. Perrin will focus on the college side of scouting, with Zanin in charge of the professional side of personnel matters.
With the addition of Walt Perrin yesterday, Zanin complements him - Perrin will handle the college side and Zanin has the pro side in personnel matters.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) May 19, 2020
Zanin worked with the Brooklyn Nets as a trusted assistant under Billy King. The two worked together in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Brooklyn, before Zanin left his role with the Nets in 2016, following the hiring of Sean Marks.
Since leaving the Nets, Zanin has worked as a pro scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Zanin, a Philly product, worked with Leon Rose and there’s a long-standing relationship. https://t.co/Dg2zh3k99F
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) May 19, 2020
Apparently, Zanin and Leon Rose have a long-standing relationship.
With the addition of Zanin, Aller, and Perrin, it appears current assistant GM Gerald Madkins, director of player personnel Harold Ellis, along with front office executive Craig Robinson will not be retained, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Zanin grew up in the Philadelphia area, where he played high school basketball with the late Kobe Bryant, who endorsed him for the Nets GM role back in 2016.
It is good to see Leon Rose bringing in a wide collection of talent to help rebuild the New York roster.
This is a breaking story. Please check back as more details become available.