New York Knicks, ex-Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin make progress on GM talks

The New York Knicks reportedly are nearing contract negotiations with former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin to become the team's top basketball executive.

League sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne that the Knicks are progressing toward opening negotiations with Griffin as their next general manager.

Griffin traveled to New York on Friday for a dinner meeting with Knicks executive Steve Mills and is expected to meet with owner James Dolan in the near future, according to the report.

The Knicks parted ways with team president Phil Jackson last month after three disappointing seasons. With Jackson's departure, the Knicks plan to reshape the front office.

Griffin would be in line to be offered the general manager position with Mills, currently the team's GM, moving to the president's title, ESPN reported. Mills would take over the primary responsibilities of running basketball operations.

Mills has been running the day-to-day business of the organization and made the surprise decision to sign restricted free agent guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year, $71 million contract.

One potential stumbling block to the Knicks' pursuit of Griffin could be whether the organization allows him to bring his own front office staff to Madison Square Garden, ESPN reported.

Griffin was the general manager in Cleveland for three seasons and helped the Cavs to their first NBA title in the 2015-16 season.

The Cavaliers announced on June 19 that Griffin's contract would not be renewed. The team said it was a mutual decision.

Griffin joined the Cavs in 2010 and became full-time GM in 2014. He was responsible for acquiring Kevin Love after LeBron James returned to Cleveland, and was part of the decision to make Tyronn Lue head coach in 2016 after firing David Blatt.

Jackson was hired after a historic coaching career that included 11 NBA titles, but he struggled to make progress in New York with a three-year record of 80-166 since he took over the role as team president and head of basketball operations, including a franchise-worst 17-65 in 2014-15.

The Knicks, who lost at least 50 games each year under Jackson, completed a 31-51 season in 2016-17 and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.