People around Knicks owner James Dolan continue to have "strong concerns" about the compensation it could take to land Raptors president Masai Ujiri for the Knicks' vacant team president role, reports SNY's Ian Begley.

According to Begley, there is "serious pessimism" about the Knicks' pursuit of Ujiri at the moment.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are continuing to gauge the interest of player agents who could be interested in the team president role.

Begley reported on Tuesday shortly after the ouster of Steve Mills that Ujiri was expected to be at the top of the list to replace him, adding that Ujiri had told confidants in the past that he'd be open to considering the Knicks job if the circumstance was right.

Still, the compensation it would take to land Ujiri has always loomed as a potential snag.

As far as what kind of compensation that could be, Begley reported on Tuesday that it's fair to assume that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chairman Larry Tannenbaum will want at least two first round picks.

Bleacher Report's Howard Beck reported last Dec. 7 that it is believed Ujiri's contract runs through 2021 but that he has an out clause "under certain circumstances." Beck also reported that Ujiri turned down an extension from the Raptors this past summer.

If the Knicks are unwilling to pay the heavy price it could take to land Ujiri, they could turn their attention to a player agent as team president -- CAA's Leon Rose is among the candidates who have been under consideration, per SNY sources -- or executives such as Donnie Nelson, Sam Presti, or a host of other candidates.

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