NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Want Toronto Raptors President, Fire Steve Mills Before Trade Deadline

The New York Knicks have fired team president Steve Mills, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. General manager Scott Perry will reportedly remain in his role with the organization.

The news comes nearly 48 hours before the 2020 NBA trade deadline. New York has been at the center of trade rumors with teams pursuing leading scorer Marcus Morris. Julius Randle has reportedly been in trade talks, as well.

Owner James Dolan is targeting Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri to replace Mills, according to Wojnarowski. Ujiri is signed with the defending champs through the 2020-2021 season.

New York is parting ways with President Steve Mills, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2020

Knicks owner Jim Dolan is targeting Toronto president Masai Ujiri to ultimately oversee New York’s operations, league sources tell ESPN. He is under contract through 2020-2021 in Toronto.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2020

It’s long been rumored that Dolan has wanted Ujiri to run the organization. New York reportedly wanted to lure Ujiri away from Toronto in 2017 when the Knicks fired Phil Jackson. Steve Popper of Newsday reported in December that some in the Raptors organization fear Ujiri will head to the Big Apple at the end of the season.

Ujiri traded for Kawhi Leonard in the summer of 2018, a move that helped bring Toronto its first NBA title. After losing Leonard in free agency, the Raptors are the East’s No.2 seed and on pace to win 59 games.

The Knicks are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings on a 24-win pace. New York will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight year.

Mills was promoted from general manager to team president in 2017 following Jackson’s departure. The Knicks went 61-154 during Mills’ tenure in his last role.