Griffin told the Knicks that he was interested only in becoming president of basketball operations and reporting directly to ownership. Dolan sent word that he was "excited" about that prospect, according to sources close to the negotiation.

But the deal fell apart, sources said, when Griffin realized he wasn't going to have full autonomy and would instead be working with and likely reporting to Mills.

Griffin was on a flight to New York to meet with Mills, when, according to sources, he saw a news alert that the Knicks had signed Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year, $71 million contract. If he were to accept the job, Griffin realized, he'd have to answer for a hefty contract he had no say in.

He went ahead with the flight and meeting but removed his name from consideration shortly thereafter.

And

The Knicks began gauging interest in Porzingis early in 2019. According to sources, New York offered the New Orleans Pelicans a package centered around Porzingis in exchange for forward Anthony Davis. But former Pelicans general manager Dell Demps showed little interest in that discussion, and the Knicks took that as an indication that interest in Porzingis might not be as high leaguewide.

Porzingis and his brother, Janis, who serves as his agent, had planned to meet with management to discuss his future in January. Once the Porzingis brothers found out that the Knicks were discussing a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, sources said, they hurried a meeting the next morning and asked to be moved to one of four destinations: the Nets, Clippers, Raptors or Heat.

The meeting was brief, and the Knicks agreed to terms with Dallas before the brothers had returned from the suburbs to their Manhattan home.

Very funny. But who knows if it is true? Maybe Steve Mills is misunderstood. Anyway, we should be thankful that now we have DSjr and 2 late first round pick (thanks Luka) instead.