The New York Knicks are no longer expected to pursue Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri as they look to replace Phil Jackson, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that the Knicks aren’t expected to seek permission from the Raptors to speak to Ujiri. Marc Berman of the New York Post adds that the reason the Knicks won’t pursue Ujiri is because it would cost too much to acquire the Raptors president.
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It is believed compensation for Ujiri would be too costly for Knicks owner James Dolan. One league source said Toronto would ask for multiple picks from its division rival, including a first-rounder.
[cite] – New York Post[/cite]
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Berman also writes that Ujiri “appeared interested” in the Knicks job. According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Ujiri never addressed the New York rumours because the Knicks didn’t contact Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
Word that the Knicks were interested in Ujiri first surfaced Wednesday shortly after New York announced it was parting ways with Jackson.
The Knicks, according to the two reports mentioned above, now appear to have turned their attention to former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin.
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