Knicks Reportedly Won't Pursue Masai Ujiri; David Griffin Front-Runner

The New York Knicks are reportedly ending their rumored pursuit of the Toronto Raptors' Masai Ujiri to become their new team president in favor of former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin.

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Knicks are not expected to ask for permission to interview Ujiri despite Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reporting Wednesday the team was targeting him.

Marc Berman of the New York Post added that Griffin has emerged as the top candidate.

Berman also reported the Raptors were expected to ask the Knicks for multiple draft picks as compensation for hiring Ujiri, which contributed to the decision to look elsewhere.

The Knicks and former team president Phil Jackson mutually parted ways Wednesday after three consecutive 50-plus-loss seasons. Griffin and the Cavaliers previously split this offseason as well despite the team's recent success (three straight trips to the Finals, one title).

New York hasn't reached the playoffs since 2012-13, but the team has a franchise cornerstone in Kristaps Porzingis and a possible point guard of the future in 2017 first-round pick Frank Ntilikina.