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Source: David Griffin Withdraws Name From Knicks' GM Search After Role Disagreement

Former Cavaliers GM David Griffin has "pulled his name out of the Knicks' GM and president search," according to a source cited by Marc Spears of THE UNDEFEATED. The source noted Griffin ended talks "after he couldn't come to agreement on the right role with the franchise" (ESPN.com, 7/9). ESPN.com's Ian Begley wrote the issue "came down to finding a proper role for Griffin" while Knicks President Steve Mills "continues to work for the team." Sources said that with Griffin having "withdrawn from consideration," Mills will "continue to lead the Knicks' front offices for the foreseeable future, as he has throughout free agency." Sources added that the Knicks and Griffin were "at odds over Griffin not having full authority on basketball decisions and over Griffin's preference to bring in his own staff." Griffin since Friday had been in N.Y. meeting with the Knicks, who are "looking to bolster their front office following Phil Jackson's departure." Griffin is "expected to serve as a television analyst next season and it's believed he has no other NBA job opportunities at the moment" (ESPN.com, 7/9). In N.Y., Stefan Bondy writes in a move that was as "baffling as it was predictable, the Knicks reportedly refused to grant autonomy over basketball decisions" to Griffin. A source said that one of Griffin's requests was to remove Assistant GM Allan Houston, who has "been with the Knicks as a player or executive for the majority of the last 20 years." Houston is one of Owner James Dolan's "all-time favorite players" and many "believe he's being groomed as the next GM under Mills." Meanwhile, Mills is "trying to convince Dolan that he should be the next team president" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/10). Also in N.Y., Frank Isola writes Griffen decided against taking Dolan's "money and going along with the MSG spin." Griffin "wasn't up for the challenge of politics as usual at MSG" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/10).

WAITING FOR THE RIGHT FIT: NBA TV’s Trey Kerby said after the "way things ended in Cleveland," Griffin likely "wanted something a little bit more stable.” NBA TV’s Leigh Ellis said Griffin can "turn this job down knowing that a lot of other teams" will have an opening in the future. Ellis: "Maybe you have to wait 12 months, maybe you have to wait a season or so, but these opportunities will open up again. … He’s going to be in demand” (“The Starters,” NBA TV, 7/9). ESPN's Ian Fitzsimmons said, "If you weren’t going to be able to do what you want to do as general manager ... it is a smart move on his part not to chase a job because that is the only job that is available right now." Fitzsimmons: "It was brilliant to say, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 7/10). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes Griffin may not have been Knicks fans' "idea of an ideal choice" to be the new GM, but he is a "career basketball man with a good reputation." Since the Knicks are currently looking for "someone with both of those qualifications, it made perfect sense they would meet with him." However, in in the "perpetual midnight that is the Knicks, it is never enough for a job interview merely to conclude without an agreement" (N.Y. POST, 7/10). 

IF NOT HIM, THEN WHO? In N.Y., Marc Berman notes the search will go on with Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke "leading the process." However, it is "looking stronger the hire will be as second fiddle to Mills" after Dolan "decided to ditch a bid" for Raptors President Masai Ujiri because of "draft-compensation fears" (N.Y. POST, 7/10). On Long Island, Al Iannazzone notes Mills is "looking for someone to run the basketball department, but as president, he still would have final say on decisions." It is "unclear where the Knicks will turn now" (NEWSDAY, 7/10).

UNSTEADY TIMES IN CLEVELAND: THE VERTICAL's Chris Mannix wrote Cavs fans "can't help but feel" like the uncertainty around Griffin's replacement "could be the first sign of an empire crumbling." The team missed trading for Paul George, LeBron James "has gone radio silent" and Owner Dan Gilbert "continues to treat key front-office positions like a luxury." Allowing Griffin to walk was a "mistake, one compounded by Gilbert's unwillingness to pay Chauncey Billups the market rate to replace him or give him full autonomy within the organization." The Cavs' job is "viewed as more caretaker-ish, with cap restrictions limiting all but cosmetic changes and the team’s future held hostage by James' next decision." Gilbert "hasn't made it any more appealing." Griffin is "enormously popular among his peers, and that he wasn't rewarded" for three straight trips to the Finals was "met by widespread astonishment." In Cleveland, "optics matter." Even if a GM's options are "limited, Cleveland needs to show stability" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/7). Meanwhile, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said he "just kind of stayed out of the situation" regarding Billups. He said, "I was so close to Griff, so close to Chauncey, so I didn't want anything to do with it" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 7/8).

TWITTER REAX: The Vertical's Mannix: "The Knicks have to hire an experienced basketball executive and give him total autonomy. It's unreal that they don't get that." N.Y. Post's Zach Braziller: "What has Steve Mills done to deserve having power over a qualified GM like David Griffin? What a joke #knicks are." N.Y. Daily News' Isola quipped, "Where does David Griffin come off thinking he should have the option of overhauling a front office that produced 1 playoff win in 17 years?" FiveThirtyEight's Chris Herring: "The Knicks are SO close to getting over this hump of awkwardness. I felt like Griffin would've pushed them over the edge of it." MSNBC's Chris Hayes: "I'm just waiting for the story to drop that connects the dots between Trump, Putin and the Knicks. Gotta be some smoke there." Other Twitter observers called for the Cavaliers to re-hire Griffin. ESPN Cleveland's Aaron Goldhammer: "This tweet is the official petition to get Dan Gilbert to reconsider hiring David Griffin as Cavs GM. RT if you'd like to sign!" Scout's Fred Greetham: "Maybe the #Cavs should look at hiring that David Griffin guy for GM...heard he was available."

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