With Phil Jackson reportedly looking to clean out the Knicks’ front office and Kevin Johnson looking to hire a director of the National Basketball Players Association, maybe Steve Mills is getting pushed from both sides into a new job.
Mills was Knicks president before being demoted to general manager upon Jackson’s hiring. In nearly six months in charge, Mills didn’t significantly impact the Knicks. With Jackson on board, it’s unlikely Mills will.
But maybe Mills can make a soft landing on a new job.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:The Princeton-educated Mills, who played for legendary coach Pete Carril, could have an inside track on the union job. He is well-respected among players as well as league and team executives.
“It would be great for the union’s future if Steve is the guy,” said one player representative, who did not want to be identified.
The players union needs an executive director. The NBA is readying itself for another lockout 2017, and Adam Silver is already building his case in public.
Mills could be the right man to organize the retaliation, and sooner or later, the union has to pick someone. Mills appears to have the experience and intelligence necessary to do the job well.
