The Knicks on Saturday officially named Mark Warkentien director, pro player personnel.
Warkentien will consult president Donnie Walsh on preparation for the NBA Draft, have scouting assignments and will advise on personnel moves.
“Mark is an excellent basketball operations executive and we are pleased to add him to our staff of highly accomplished executives and scouts,” Walsh said. “Mark will serve as a consultant and adviser and I look forward to working with him.”
Warkentien most recently served as vice president of basketball operations for the Denver Nuggets, where he was named NBA Executive of the Year following the 2008-09 season.
Warkentien is said to have a strong relationship with Carmelo Anthony from his Denver days, and it is thought that he could potentially help in bringing Anthony to the Knicks.
He joined the Nuggets in 2005 as director of player personnel and was elevated to vice president of basketball operations in 2006. Prior to joining Denver, Warkentien spent 14 seasons working in various front office positions for the Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Seattle SuperSonics.
Warkentien also spent 11 years in the basketball operations department at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas.
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