Over the offseason, it was reported that GM Scott Perry and the New York Knicks were parting ways. Perry was on an expiring contract and decided to step away from the role he'd held since 2017-18 to look into other options. It was an amicable breakup.
Since then, Perry has spoken publicly about the Knicks and his time with the organization. He's been a frequent guest on 'The Hoop Genius' podcast, where he detailed why New York didn't trade for Donovan Mitchell in the 2022 offseason.
Former Knicks GM Scott Perry on Donovan Mitchell talks: "…If the other team [wants] 2/3 or 3/4 of all your good young talent—& all your draft capital—is what's left good enough?…If he was that singular force, Utah probably would’ve been in the Conference Finals…But he… pic.twitter.com/cM9paONOGo
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 27, 2023
Perry was most recently on ESPN's NBA Today, where Malika Andrews asked him how far away he thinks the Knicks are from being contenders.
Former Knicks GM Scott Perry thinks they're just a player away from being a championship team 🤔 pic.twitter.com/HnEYo0RF09
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 14, 2023
Former Knicks GM Scott Perry says team is one player away from being true contenders
Scott Perry said, "I really think they're just one player away. I think they're one player away, a player that can come in and doesn't have to be a superstar player, either. A player who can create some offense off the dribble to take some of the pressure off Jalen Brunson having to do that, or Julius Randle, or RJ Barrett."
Perry referenced his time in Detroit, where in 2004, the Pistons were in the middle of the Eastern Conference and "needed to get over the hump." Detroit traded for Rasheed Wallace and went on to win the championship.
The former GM was adamant that the player New York acquires doesn't have to be a star, although the organization has been connected to any and every star that could become available. The hottest name over the offseason was Joel Embiid, who might actually be the happiest he's been in Philadelphia with Tyrese Maxey's rise.
Zach LaVine is technically a star, although he isn't a superstar. On Tuesday, the Athletic's Shams Charania reported that LaVine and the Bulls were open to a trade. However, the Knicks should stay far away from him.
As the season wears on, maybe the right player will hit the trade market. It's to be determined on if that player will be a star or not. If it were up to Perry, it wouldn't be. He seems to be a proponent of keeping New York's young core together, as any major trade would likely involve either RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, or Quentin Grimes leaving.
If only all if took was the Knicks trading for a good, yet not a star, player to win the 2024 NBA Finals!