As a top player agent at CAA, Leon Rose had several clients on the Knicks over the years. Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Andrea Bargnani, Eddy Curry, Rick Brunson, etc.

So he knows recent Knicks history as well as anyone.

"No one deserves a winner more than Knicks fans," Rose said during an interview on MSG Network, his first public comments since taking over as team president.

Rose was asked during the interview if he had a message for Knicks fans, who have rooted for a club with just one playoff series win in the past 20 years.

"I know it's been tough but my pledge is -- we're going to work tirelessly, we're going to do business, we're going to be prudent and we're going to be in play in every aspect -- the draft, trades, free agency. And we're going to build this the right way to bring you a winner."

You can excuse the longtime Knicks fan out there for being skeptical. But Rose has the tools to put together a winning team in New York.

The club projects to have significant cap space, starting as soon as this offseason. They also have seven first-round draft picks in the next four drafts. Because of those assets, some with the Knicks believe they are well positioned to trade for a disgruntled young player, if one becomes available.

Rose's next big decision will be who he hires as the next head coach. Then it will be on to the draft and free agency, where he'll have the chance to add players and execute trades.

It will be Rose's first offseason as a team president. Before agreeing to be Knicks president, Rose was a top player agent at CAA.

He was asked how his experience as a player agent can help him in his new role.

"I think representing players for 25-plus years -- you learn how players think, how they feel, what's important to them," said Rose, who hasn't had an introductory press conference. "And I just think that, that is going to be invaluable and so helpful for me to be able to relate, understand and do a really good job (as team president)."

The best piece of advice Rose has received so far?

"Be yourself and go with your gut. And I'm going to stick to that and do my job," he said.

Here are a few other topics Rose addressed during the interview, which aired Wednesday:

On the recent protests and civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd:

"I think it's been said before that we here at the Knicks and MSG condemn racism, won't tolerate it," Rose said. "I'm proud to say that when you look at the history of the Knicks and the hiring of the Knicks, look at last season as an example, you had African Americans in every high level position from president (Steve Mills) on down to the assistant general managers. We've continued to try to maintain that. Three of our top five executives are minorities (William 'World Wide Wes' Wesley, GM Scott Perry and assistant GM Walt Perrin). And I think that that is something that, right now, we have to really listen, and we have to find ways to be part of the solution."

Knicks owner James Dolan received media criticism, including from former players, over a decision not to release a statement in the wake of Floyd's death. Per an ESPN report, some players and MSG employees were furious about the decision. Dolan explained the decision in internal emails and released a statement roughly two weeks after Floyd's death, on the day of his funeral. Some equated the Knicks not releasing a statement with Dolan being a racist.

In an interview with SNY, former team president and coach Isiah Thomas, currently an analyst for NBATV and Turner, was asked about that characterization. He echoed some of the ideas Rose expressed in his interview with MSG Network.

"I would just say, from everything that I've seen in terms of his hiring practices with the New York Knicks, his hiring practices have been far more greater than a lot of owners of sports franchises who may say the right things," Thomas said of Dolan's Knicks.

"His hiring practices can stand up against anyone in sports when you talk about the New York Knicks and race."

Rose added that he and Perry have remained in touch with players during the protests in the wake of Floyd's killing.

"We support them in any platforms that they want to participate in. We are supportive of them and they know that we have that position," he said.

Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. took part in protests in his home state of North Carolina. Several Knicks have addressed the issue in social media posts.

On hiring William "World Wide Wes" Wesley:

"Wes is one of the most well-respected and connected people in the basketball community. I just think he's going to bring so much to our organization in various areas. First and foremost, he's always been a great mentor to players, coaches, agents, just people. He's an incredible person who I've known for over 40 years. I just think that, as I said before, this business is built on relationships, it's built on how you treat people, it's built on working hard, it's built on all of these characteristics that I think Wes possesses. And I think that getting someone of that stature, character into our organization is something that's going to benefit us greatly.

"He's been with me for the last 13 years at CAA, working as a consultant there with coaches, front office people, college coaches, helping us, the entire sports department at CAA," Rose added. "He was an invaluable resource. For him, the relationship that we have, the relationship and respect he has for (Knicks owner) Jim Dolan -- he wanted to make a full commitment to helping us do what we needed to do. I'm thrilled to death that he's joining us, and I think he's going to be an incredible asset to the organization."

Rose and the Knicks officially hired Wesley, widely known as one of the top power brokers/relationship builders in basketball, on Wednesday. Here are more details about Wesley and his role.

On Scott Perry:

"I'm looking for Scott to be a good partner, for guidance. He's an excellent executive. He's been around for a long time. He's done a great job over the last few drafts (with the Knicks) and he's a proven veteran and a guy that I've always had a great comfort level with over the years. Keeping him, keeping the stability and us working together for the next year is going to be a great thing for the Knicks and hopefully for a longer period of time."

Rose retained Perry as his general manager. He is under contract for the 2020-21 season. It's natural to wonder about Perry's long-term future with the Knicks because of the length of his contract. But if the Knicks exceed expectations this year, it's logical to think that Perry would continue in his role.

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