Following the departure of assistant head coach Johnnie Bryant, the New York Knicks lost other important players.
The Dallas Mavericks have acquired Makhtar Ndiaye, the director of international and pro scouting for the Knicks, who made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter.
On August 18, Ndiaye tweeted, “Hey everyone, I just want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Knicks organization for an incredible nine years.” “I’m glad to know that I made a difference in the team’s current state as I go forward. I hope the Knicks and their incredible fan base have success!
I’m eager to see what is in store. Being a resident of the Dallas region makes me feel like a Maverick right now. It’s time for fresh challenges, new goals, and a new team! Now let’s go to work!
The “Pivotal Role” of Mahktar Ndiaye with the Knicks
Ndiaye “most recently played a pivotal role behind the scenes in the acquisition of OG Anunoby and Donte DiVincenzo,” according to Ian Begley of SNY.
After going undrafted in 1998, Ndiaye became the first Senegalese player to play in the NBA, spending a brief stint with the Vancouver Grizzlies (now known as the Memphis Grizzlies). Before signing up with Wasserman Group as an NBA agent, he played the majority of his career in Europe.
Ndiaye began his career with the Knicks in 2017 as a foreign scout and was promoted in 2021. The fifty-year-old Ndiaye will become the Director of Pro Personnel and International for the Mavericks.
After Kobe Bryant left the Knicks over the offseason to become an associate head coach on Kenny Atkinson’s staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was the second important member of the team to go.
During the 2022 free agency period, Jalen Brunson moved from Dallas to New York, which resulted in the Knicks and Mavericks becoming fierce competitors. Prior to that, they completed the historic trade of Kristaps Porzingis, the previous lottery pick of the Knicks, in 2019.
Knicks Expand Tom Thibodeau’s Staff with Experienced Coaches
The Knicks covertly hired veteran coach Mo Cheeks prior to Bryant’s departure for Cleveland, where he would reunite with his close friend and former Utah Jazz mentor Donovan Mitchell.
Additionally, the Knicks hired renowned big man coach Mark Bryant after Bryant left.
Thibodeau has a good friendship with Cheeks, who is 67 years old. Cheeks was formerly the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers. He is currently Thibodeau’s most seasoned coach, ahead of tants Rick Brunson, Darren Erman, Andy Greer, Othella Harrington, and Bryant.
From 1994 to 1996, Thibodeau and Cheeks collaborated as the Sixers’ assistant coaches.
After being traded for Rod Strickland in 1990, Cheeks, a four-time NBA All-Star, spent two seasons with the Knicks.
After being selected 21st overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, Bryant had a lengthy career in the league. He began his coaching career the next year as an assistant coach with the Mavericks after retiring in 2003.
In Phoenix and Detroit, the 59-year-old Bryant served as one of Monty Williams’ most reliable assistants. The Knicks seized the chance to bring Bryant on board with Thibodeau following Williams’ dismissal.
Because the Knicks lack depth at center, Bryant will be essential to their success this season. Along with Harrington, he is anticipated to work his magic with Knicks big men Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, and newcomer Ariel Hukporti.
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