The Knicks named William "World Wide Wes" Wesley, one of the NBA's "premier well-connected behind-the-scenes power brokers," Exec VP & Senior Advisor to team President Leon Rose, according to Stefan Bondy of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Sources said that Wesley, who specializes in relationships and connections, had "already been assisting Rose and played an integral role in forming the Knicks' new front office." But many around the league "figured Wesley would remain in an unofficial capacity since it's easier to recruit outside of regulations," so today's announcement was a "bit of a surprise." What Wesley's hiring means for the Knicks' hierarchy is "unclear." GM Scott Perry signed a one-year extension but "will be working with a new front office, headlined by Wesley, chief strategist Brock Aller and two new assistant GMs -- Frank Zanin and Walt Perrin" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/24). In N.Y., Greg Joyce notes the Knicks also announced that they have "hired Alex Kline and TJ Zanin" -- the brother of Frank Zanin -- "as scouts" (N.Y. POST, 6/24).
