Knicks Rumors: Thunder's Frank Zanin Hired to Front Office by Leon Rose

The New York Knicks continue rounding out team president Leon Rose's staff, hiring Oklahoma City Thunder scout Frank Zanin to a front-office role.

Ian Begley of SNY reported Zanin's hiring, though no formal title was given in the report. Zanin joins general manager Scott Perry and assistant general manager Walt Perrin, who was hired Monday from the Utah Jazz. 

Zanin previously worked with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets as a scout and served as the Nets' assistant general manager from 2013-16.

The Knicks hired Rose, a longtime player agent, in March to replace Steve Mills. It's likely Rose plans to oversee a multiyear rebuild, asking Knicks fans for "patience" in an open letter posted upon the announcement of his hiring.

Assuming Zanin's role is scouting-based, he could be integral in identifying the next cornerstones of the franchise. The Knicks had the NBA's sixth-worst record when play was suspended after the Jazz's Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. They would have a 9 percent chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick if the NBA does not continue the regular season.

Regardless, Rose's front office inherits a roster bereft of talent. The team appears to have whiffed on lottery picks Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox, and the jury is still out on whether RJ Barrett can be an effective NBA player. Julius Randle, Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson, their major offseason signings last summer, do not appear to be part of the future.

Given the uncertainty the NBA is facing in regard to its salary cap because of lost revenue, Rose and Co. are facing an uphill battle and will need patience to turn the Knicks around.