Knicks tap Steve Mills as new general manager

Steve Mills (right) was named the Knicks' new GM on Thursday, replacing Glen Grunwald. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks have named Steve Mills, a former president of Madison Square Garden, as their new president and general manager, according to an announcement on the team's website. Mills replaces Glen Grunwald, who will remain with the team as an advisor.

Mills, who turns 54 next week, brings 16 years of experience as an NBA executive, including time as senior vice president of basketball and player development for the league. More recently, he served in several capacities with Madison Square Garden Company, mostly in business operations for all sports-related activities for the Knicks, New York Liberty and Rangers.

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Mills, who first joined the Knicks, as executive vice president of franchise operations, in September 1999, said in a statement released on the team's website Thursday that he is grateful to team owner James Dolan for the opportunity to return to the franchise and help lead it to its next championship:

"I want to thank Jim for this opportunity to return to the Knicks in this important position. It is an honor and a privilege to work for such a storied franchise and I look forward to doing whatever it takes to make the Knicks a successful franchise and a team that fans can be proud of, both now and in the future."

A former basketball player at Princeton, Mills started three seasons at guard for the Tigers under Hall of Fame head coach Pete Carill, helping to lead the team to an NCAA berth in 1981. More recently, he has served on the Board of Trustees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and on the Board of Directors for USA Basketball. This past spring, he was reportedly considered to be one of the finalists to replace NBPA executive director Billy Hunter.

Looking ahead, Mills is now tasked with working with the Knicks' front office and head coach Mike Woodson to help lead a team that finished the regular season second in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs.

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