Knicks open talks with David Griffin in post-Phil Jackson era

— -- David Griffin, who parted ways with the Cleveland Cavaliers as general manager last week, is a candidate to join the New York Knicks' front office, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

The Knicks are assembling a list of candidates they'll speak to. That process is ongoing, but Griffin has had an initial conversation with the Knicks and is expected to have more talks when the team moves to the next level of the process, sources said. 

In addition, the team is not expected to ask for permission to speak with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, sources told Shelburne.

The team announced Wednesday morning that it mutually agreed to part ways with Phil Jackson as president.

The Knicks completed a disappointing 31-51 season in April and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. They were 80-166 in Jackson's three full seasons as team president, losing at least 50 games in each of them.

Griffin was Cleveland's GM for three seasons and helped the Cavs to their first title in the 2015-16 season.