Former Knicks Staffer Fired By Timberwolves, Arrested on Burglary Charges
Former New York Knicks staffer Somak Sarkar was arrested on Monday on charges of felony third-degree burglary shortly after his firing from a similar analytical role with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Chris Hine and Paul Walsh of the Star Tribune, Sarkar, who served as a coordinator of coaching analytics with the Knicks in 2021, is accused of stealing a hard drive belonging to Timberwolves executive vice president Sachin Gupta.
Brad Rempel, USA TODAY SPORTS
The drive, which was found upon execution of a search warrant of Sarkar's home, contained over 5,000 files, including Gupta's personal information (i.e. tax returns and passwords) and "strategic NBA information." Sarkar was fired in February after security surveillance captured him entering Gupta's office at the Timberwolves' headquarters at Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Tribue's report, released on Wednesday, notes that Gupta worked with Sarkar in the Timberwolves' analytical department and that the latter "butted heads" with superiors. Gupta, the complaint explains, informed Sarkar that he would be transferred to another department, a decision he appeared to take well, but it's noted that Sarkar became "standoffish" later on.
Questioned by police upon his arrest, Sarkar claimed he was trying to "put some stuff on" the hard drive but had forgotten to return it. He has since been released on $40,000 bail and is due to appear in court in Hennepin County on Thursday.
The Timberwolves organization told the Star Tribune that it is "aware of these allegations and will have no further comment as it is an ongoing legal matter."
