Leon Rose might look to Philadelphia for his new right-hand man.
According to a league source, Elton Brand has been targeted by Rose as a candidate for Knicks GM. Brand, 41, is currently the Sixers GM and is under contract next season, complicating any designs of bringing him to New York. The source said Rose wanted to see if Brand was dismissed after the playoffs.
Since taking over as Philly’s in 2018, Brand tried to build a championship contender around Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. He traded for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Then after Butler left in free agency, Brand acquired Josh Richardson and Al Horford. The results have been mixed.
Philadelphia fell a Kawhi Leonard game-winner short of making the Eastern Conference Finals last year but has underwhelmed this season with a 39-26 record. The inconsistency has left coach Brett Brown on the hot seat.
Brand is a former All-Star with the Clippers who also played with the Bulls, Sixers, Mavericks and Hawks. He was the first overall pick in 1999 out of Duke.
Rose has worked closely with Brand in Philly because, up until February, he served as Embiid’s agent. Rose is also from the Philadelphia area.
Scott Perry is the current Knicks GM but was hired by Rose’s predecessor, Steve Mills. As the Daily News reported, Perry and the Knicks both have contract opt outs after this season, meaning either side can end the partnership.
Rose is also interested in hiring Cavaliers capologist Brock Aller for a front office position, sources told the News. A source said Rose requested and received permission to interview Aller before the coronavirus shutdown.
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