HoopsHype.com Rumors

The New York Knicks have promoted Glen Grunwald to executive vice president and general manager after he assembled numerous pieces of a playoff roster this season. Oklahoman

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

Mike Monroe: Congrats to Glen Grunwald, one of nicest guys I've met in 27-plus years covering NBA; also one of smartest Twitter

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

Over three years as their president, Walsh had given the Knicks respectability and relevance, but they still needed defenders, shooters and playmakers. They needed an architect savvy enough to complete Walsh’s blueprint, and bold enough to execute it. Ten months later — detached from the daily grind, still tethered by contract and sentiment — Walsh judges his successor with gleeful approval. “I think he’s done a fantastic job,” Walsh said of Glen Grunwald, the Knicks’ understated, seldom-seen, rarely-heard-from executive with the interim title. “I thought he would,” Walsh said, “but I think he’s done better than that.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

Whatever the Knicks may become, it will be largely because of Walsh’s diligence, tearing down a lifeless roster to make room for Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and high-value, low-cost role players. Yet stars are never enough, and the roster that Walsh left behind for Grunwald needed massaging. “Glen has filled in the right spots,” Walsh said, speaking by telephone from his Indianapolis home, where he is a consultant to the Knicks. “Getting Chandler was monumental.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

Keeping a tag team of Woodson and general manager Glen Grunwald would keep stability and avoid any potential GM-coach feud. Grunwald has his “interim’’ title attached and has made a series of jackpot moves since December. Obtaining waiver-wire cuts Lin and Steve Novak has been blissful and the daring maneuver to add defensive-player of the year candidate Tyson Chandler and sacrificing out-for-the-year Chauncey Billups became genius. “Woodson and Glen are on the same page — in a big way,’’ a person connected to the coaching staff said. New York Post

Denver Nuggets, Chauncey Billups, Tyson Chandler, Steve Novak, Glen Grunwald 

It's getting tougher and tougher to scoff when someone suggests that ex-Knicks coach and general manager Isiah Thomas continues to possess a decent measure of influence in Madison Square Garden matters. Mike Woodson and Glen Grunwald, two longtime Zeke cohorts, happen to be the Knicks' current coach and GM. The sudden arrival of longtime Thomas pal Darrell Walker as a Knicks assistant, without any clear ties to Woodson, only strengthens such suspicions. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Isiah Thomas, Darrell Walker, Glen Grunwald 

According to a person familiar with his thinking, Anthony’s disillusionment stems most from a belief coach Mike D’Antoni and interim GM Glen Grunwald do not trust him. He is surprised that after all the Knicks gave up to trade for him, he has not been asked for more input on personnel decisions, as Deron Williams has with the Nets. “The organization makes believe his opinions don’t matter,’’ the source said. New York Post

New York Knicks, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, Glen Grunwald 

For the record, Knicks interim general manager Glen Grunwald had nothing to do with Lin’s invitation to work out for the team prior to the 2010 draft. Who’s making this stuff up, interim owner James Dolan? For those lacking demi-recall, Donnie Walsh was in charge of stuff like that way back then. Mel Daniels and Walker Russell liked what they saw when scouting Lin and the team president agreed. Walsh told me that summer that Lin’s pre-draft workout was first-rate, but the Knicks’ pressure to preserve cap space prevented them from drafting him in the second round or offering more than a minimum contract. New York Post

New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh, James Dolan, Jeremy Lin, Glen Grunwald 

If Isiah Thomas, Glen Grunwald and Mike Woodson weren’t college teammates at Indiana more than three decades ago, Mike D’Antoni would still be justified feeling threatened that those three were spotted together on Thursday in Miami. But the dinner party at a trendy South Beach restaurant, which the Daily News has learned included several Garden employees, certainly raises eyebrows with D’Antoni fighting for his job and struggling to keep the Knicks from imploding. From all indications, D’Antoni is not in immediate danger of being dismissed as coach. Management appears to be willing to give him a chance to salvage the season with a healthy Baron Davis, who could return for Tuesday’s home game against Detroit. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Isiah Thomas, Glen Grunwald 

And that’s where Thomas comes in. Grunwald holds Woodson, the former Atlanta Hawks coach and Larry Brown disciple, in high regard. But Woodson also had the support of Thomas, who serves in an unofficial role as adviser to Dolan and had told close friends, “Does anyone think Jim would hire Mike if he was only known as Larry’s guy?” Dolan respects Thomas’ voice but it doesn’t mean he always follows the advice of the former Knicks coach and president. In a radio interview last month, Thomas criticized the team’s decision to give Tyson Chandler a four-year, $58 million contract. Dolan emphatically endorsed the signing.Thomas, who was working behind the scenes to steer Chris Paul to the Knicks, felt it didn’t make sense for the club to use its amnesty clause on Chauncey Billups. His reasoning was two-fold; Billups’ $14 million salary was coming off the books on July 1 and his leadership in the locker room and on the court was crucial for this season. “If you don’t have a great guard, it’s hard to put together a game plan,” Thomas said. “You’re only as good a coach as your guards.” New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Isiah Thomas, Glen Grunwald 

Seven-foot center Jerome Jordan has agreed in principle to a contract with the Knicks, interim general manager Glen Grunwald said on Monday. Earl K. Sneed: The Mavs have officially signed eight-time All-Star Vince Carter. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Vince Carter, Jerome Jordan, Glen Grunwald 

Tyson Chandler and Mike Bibby practiced for the first time yesterday with the Knicks, but interim general manager Glen Grunwald’s work wasn’t done. He was holed up in his Westchester office, working like a machine, chasing ex-Knick Jamal Crawford and Mavericks’ unheralded point guard J.J. Barea, according to NBA sources. New York Post

Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Mike Bibby, Glen Grunwald 

Knicks owner James Dolan appointed Grunwald, whose official title remains senior vice president of basketball operations, to the role of interim general manager in June when Donnie Walsh decided not to return as team president. It is likely, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation, that Grunwald will hold the position for the entire 2011-12 season. Newsday

New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh, James Dolan, Glen Grunwald 

Alan Hahn: Meanwhile, as in the Fix, hearing #Knicks more content to keep Grunwald/Warkentien hierarchy in place and groom Allan Houston. Twitter

New York Knicks, Mark Warkentien, Allan Houston, Glen Grunwald 

Speaking of searches....all remains quiet in the hunt for Donnie Walsh's successor. As we've reported here and in the pages of Newsday several times, the candidates appear to be in-house lieutenants Glen Grunwald and Mark Warkentien and 76ers GM Ed Stefanski, with the latter getting some interest from the Toronto Raptors. Newsday

New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Mark Warkentien, Donnie Walsh, Ed Stefanski, Glen Grunwald 

Leon Rose, the influential agent, had told Knicks officials that the Miami Heat were busily creating payroll room for three stars: James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. He was skeptical that the Knicks could do the same. It was up to Glen Grunwald, the Knicks’ senior vice president and resident salary-cap wizard, to make the case in a face-to-face meeting. “It was a specific request: ‘How can you do this?’ ” Walsh, the Knicks’ president, recalled recently. “They looked at the books, and they didn’t think we could do it. I knew Glen could do that.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

Although he keeps a low public profile, Grunwald has been Walsh’s right-hand man since 2008 — effectively the general manager, but without the title. He has been the point man on numerous trade discussions and has often been the first Knicks official to make contact with other teams during exploratory talks. “He’s been heavily involved,” said a rival team executive, who did not want to be identified discussing another franchise’s inner workings. “He’s been pretty key to what Donnie’s done.” True to character, Grunwald is declining all interview requests while Walsh is still in the president’s chair. (He did speak briefly to ESPN during the draft last Thursday.) New York Times

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

Grunwald’s greatest feat in Toronto mirrored Walsh’s work in New York: successfully cleaning up a mess left by Thomas. The Raptors, an expansion team in 1995, averaged 22 wins in three seasons under Thomas, who was a part owner and the executive vice president. Grunwald assumed the lead role in November 1997 — after Thomas left in a dispute with team ownership — and moved swiftly to upgrade the roster. Three months into his tenure, Grunwald shipped Damon Stoudamire, the Raptors’ disenchanted point guard, to Portland in a deal that sent Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent and two first-round draft picks to Toronto. Five days later, Grunwald sent Anderson and others to Boston for a package including Chauncey Billups, Dee Brown and Roy Rogers. New York Times

New York Knicks, Glen Grunwald 

The Knicks are looking for a new general manager. It was mutually agreed upon that Donnie Walsh, 70, won’t stay on when his contract expires at the end of June. Glen Grunwald will serve as interim general manager. “I was a little surprised,’’ Billups said. “I thought Donnie would come back. I don’t know the ins and outs of the situation. But I enjoyed Donnie. Donnie’s great. He’s a basketball guy. He knows the game, knows talent. It was really good working for him.’’ HoopsHype

New York Knicks, Chauncey Billups, Donnie Walsh, Glen Grunwald 

Stoudemire also said he does not feel the vibe will change around the Knicks because of Donnie Walsh's decision to step down as president June 30, citing his return as a consultant for next season. Glen Grunwald becomes interim president. "I was a little shocked," Stoudemire said. "After talking to Mr. Walsh, he felt positive about the situation, which made me feel more positive about it. I talked to Mr. Dolan. He felt comfortable with the situation. All in all, we still got a great organization and have a great chance to win a championship. New York Post

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Donnie Walsh, Glen Grunwald