It was an easy sell when they were hired, going on nearly four years ago, that Leon Rose and William Wesley would bring stars to the Knicks, attract blue chippers with their vast connections.

They were NBA power players for a long time, facilitators of relationships and contracts.

Wesley, in particular, carried the mystique of the unknown, the behind-the-curtain puppeteer who was nowhere and everywhere simultaneously.

It was only a matter of time until their combined Rolodex produced a superstar-laden roster.

Or so it seemed.

Today, the hypocrisy of that narrative, beyond the absence of the superstar windfall, is that one of the NBA’s biggest agencies, Klutch Sports, has made it clear it’d prefer not to do business with the Knicks front office, multiple sources confirmed to The Post.

From connectors to frozen out.

This theoretically applies to all Klutch clients, whether free agents or potential trade targets, including Chicago’s Zach LaVine and Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray. 

Found this on the front page, the entire article is worth checking out. Its a legitimate concern that the Knicks have been too close to CAA over the years. With that close a relationship, its fair to wonder why it has not paid more dividends for the Knicks. It has for CAA.

The article dicusses a possible clearing the air between Rose and Paul. If they cant, and we're stuck halfway to contention, then I wouldnt mind bringing Perry back as team president. And finding a GM with the credentials to attract the necessary talent. More Klutch friendly.

There are no CAA clients that are either attainable - like LeBron or AD - or worth it - like LaVine.

Mostly a big who cares?

martin wrote:CAA did help with the whole Brunson thing.

There are no CAA clients that are either attainable - like LeBron or AD - or worth it - like LaVine.

Mostly a big who cares?

My biggest fear when Leon was hired was that he would be exactly what this article claims he has not.
That being someone who ONLY brings in big names.
That would have made us Cleveland, Atlanta or Chicago.
Instead, he has done a great job putting together a well valued roster, kept young assets and stayed away from splashy costly signings. AKA, experience professional FO guy.
Paul can keep complaining about ONE guy not willing to overpay for his clients.

HofstraBBall wrote:

martin wrote:CAA did help with the whole Brunson thing.

There are no CAA clients that are either attainable - like LeBron or AD - or worth it - like LaVine.

Mostly a big who cares?

My biggest fear when Leon was hired was that he would be exactly what this article claims he has not.
That being someone who ONLY brings in big names.
That would have made us Cleveland, Atlanta or Chicago.
Instead, he has done a great job putting together a well valued roster, kept young assets and stayed away from splashy costly signings. AKA, experience professional FO guy.
Paul can keep complaining about ONE guy not willing to overpay for his clients.

Yea the first thing I thought when reading this was "maybe that's a good thing" as it has allowed us to build a really good roster from the ground up the conventional way and not gutting it for B-level stars like we always have in the past.

Every team has connections, we are CAA and it helped net us Brunson who is better for us and our situation than anyone on that entire list.

Murray doesn't excite me and doesn't elevate our tier.

People go so hard on RJ but they want DJ who is just as inefficient, older, more expensive, and smaller.

Knixkik wrote:This renewed Cold War is mainly due to the Reddish situation.

Which is ridiculous. Cam Reddish is shooting 40% overall and 30% from 3.

Nalod wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:Leon being Brunson's Godfather helped with the whole Brunson thing.

Not long after Mike Woodson was hired as Head Coach, he fired his long time agent and signed with CAA. Read the article. They have a long track record of poaching clients not long after they become part of the Knicks org..

If you headed one of the rival agencies, would you willingly send the Knicks your best players?

After almost 4 years of whiffing on Superstars, its fair to ask one of the most connected persons in the NBA why he cant close the deal? Thats why he was hired, not his experience running an NBA team.

A lot of this is on Dolan because he empowers CAA to have this much sway over the organization.

You know what Dolan wants or conjecture based on old lazy bull****.
Brunson came here because his dad, His god father, and coach.
He came here cuz knicks paid 104mil.
CAA consiracy is overblown.
True, Leon made enemies when he ran it but thats 5 years. Remember when this level of gullible parrot bs was about "Leon gonna over pay for his cronies and get them paid". Did that happen?
YOu want to fire them because in 5 years you don't have a starphuch to whine about?
And what did we do for Reddish? gave him an opportunity and he failed. Then we Traded him where Portland gave him an opportunity. He did not do great did he? Remember folks blamed Thibs for ruining him? ATL? Oh that.
Lavine? Fuck that.
Murry is an ******* who pop wanted gone. Arrogant young man who runs his mouth. He is not doing well helping ATL win does he?
Knicks went to finals in 99 and then faltered.

A lot of this is on Dolan because he empowers CAA to have this much sway over the organization.

One should understand MSG is more than knicks and rangers. Its many venues require talent and CAA is a talent agency that Leon was part owner of and sold 5 years ago. You want to do concerts? Shows? Etc, you deal with CAA. Its not JUST about basketball players. Thats why Dolan works with them. The Sphere, LA Forum, Radio city, theatre in Chicago, ets. ALL MSG owned.
Maybe Gustav you thought Leon was hired to bring in stars. Maybe Media fed you that and you ate it.
Maybe it a nice fable then. But it sure did not happen. Your make it like team is faltering. Are they?

Nalod, old lazy bull**** is you taking my criticism of people you dont know personally. Which you always do. The same condescending tone and boilerplate response that all of a sudden becomes reasonable after the fact.

Like your decades long defense of Mills of all execs. But you didnt quit there. We had to hear about what a genius Phil was while he was phoning it in from Montana.

We all know Dolan has other things going with CAA, more than enough revenue to stop treating the Knicks like its their turf.

Leon was brought here to bring in superstar talent, he knows everyone, but that hasnt made a difference.

Saying as a fan that 5 years is enough time for this FO to contend, shouldnt get anyone upset. But of course you did Nalod.