The New York Knicks have someone scouting in the Orlando bubble.
As the New York Knicks sit at home after being left out of the NBA’s return-to-play plans, there is one front office member who has been allowed to scout games in the Disney bubble. According to the New York Post, general manager Scott Perry is the representative from the Knicks that the NBA has permitted to watch games live in Orlando.
Perry survived New York’s management turnover when president Steve Mills was fired in February and eventually replaced by super-agent Leon Rose. The former CAA big wig has assembled a diverse staff of talent in his new front office, but decided to retain Perry for at least one more season.
Scott Perry is navigating his place in a revamped front office
While Perry remains, it’s unclear how his role might evolve in terms of decision-making in the revamped front office. The Knicks hired Walt Perrin as their head of college scouting, so it would seem he would have a strong voice in the upcoming draft.
Perry was influential in the team selecting RJ Barrett last year, as well as finding Mitchell Robinson in the second round of the 2018 draft. Of course, Kevin Knox is also on his record.
As the NBA tries to manage access to the bubble environment designed to keep players and staff healthy amid a global pandemic, it’s interesting to hear each team was allowed to send someone to scout games, but it’s only fair that the eight teams stuck at home aren’t placed at a complete competitive disadvantage.
New York announced Tom Thibodeau as their 31st head coach in franchise history last week. There are reports that the NBA will allow the “Delete 8” teams to hold workouts in their home cities in August. This would give Thibs a first crack at New York’s young roster before offseason decisions are made.
The Knicks have several players who are set to become free agents and trade winds always swirl when a new management group takes over. With Perry in Orlando, look out for the overreaction to a breakout performance (kidding, sort of).