The New York Knicks will hire agent Leon Rose as their next team president of basketball operations, according to multiple reports. The position was opened Tuesday when Steve Mills was relieved of his duties.

Rose is the co-head of CAA basketball, representing some of the NBA’s best players. His clients include Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker and former Knick Carmelo Anthony.

LeBron James and Allen Iverson are among Rose’s previous clients.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, CAA consultant William Wesley will also join the organization.

Rose is just the latest NBA player agent to get his shot at running a team. Bob Myers spent 14 years as an agent before leading the Golden State Warriors to five straight NBA Finals, winning three championships from 2015-2018. Rob Pelinka represented Kobe Bryant, among others, before becoming the Los Angeles Lakers general manager in 2017.

Mills was fired two days before the 2020 NBA trade deadline, and Rose is being tabbed as his replacement with a few hours remaining until teams can no longer complete deals during the season.

The Knicks have been at the center of several trade rumors. Marcus Morris is coveted by a few teams. New York has reportedly shown interest in acquiring D’Angelo Russell.

The Knicks are on pace to win 24 games and miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

James Dolan
James Dolan attends a Madison Square Garden Company Special Announcement at The Beacon Theatre on December 1, 2015 in New York City. Getty Images/Rob Kim
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