Leon Rose was not the first sports agent to switch to the front office | Knicks
Brodie Van Wagenen: The former CAA baseball agent is hoping his second season with the Mets is better than his first. The NBA is officially past its trade deadline as of 3 PM today.
Throughout the week, as the deadline approached, reports and rumors were swirling about potential trades. One of the many reports was that the Knicks were interested in Warriors point guard D’Angelo Russell.The current Pistons executive VP counted Kobe Bryant and Reggie Miller among hoops clients, along with Mike Mussina, Hideki Matsui and Chase Utley in baseball. Russell, who signed a max deal with Golden State this past summer, ended up being traded to the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Bob Myers: Since working with Tellem as an agent for 14 years, Myers has won three championships as general manager of the Warriors.
Rob Pelinka: An upperclassman on Michigan’s famed Fab Five squad, Pelinka was Bryant’s agent late in his career and also repped Kevin Durant before transitioning to the Lakers’ front office as GM.
Justin Zanik: He was an assistant GM of the Jazz in 2013 and an agent for nearly 15 years before becoming his GM in 2019.Lone Bubby: Former agent for Tim Duncan and Ray Allen was named as the Suns president of basketball operations in 2010.Brian Burke: The former hockey agent headed the NHL front offices along with Vancouver, Anaheim, Toronto and Calgary.Mike Gillis: Rep served as Canucks GM from 2008-14 for former Rangers Mike Richter and Pavel Bure.
In the Knicks 105-103 victory over the Magic, Payton ignited the team both offensively and defensively. The point guard was a huge part of the Knicks lockdown defense at the end of the fourth quarter that helped seal the win. On defense, he came up with 7 steals and 3 defensive boards.
“He was everywhere. You know what he does offensively setting up everybody, getting to the basket and making the right plays,” teammate Julius Randle said of the point guards play. On offense, he put up 15 points, 9 assists, and 1 offensive rebound.
