Written By In the NBA, front office executives play a crucial role in building and shaping a team’s roster. General managers are tasked with making important decisions regarding player acquisitions, draft picks, and salary cap management. It’s a job that requires a lot of skill, experience, and a bit of luck. But what happens when two GMs from different teams come together to work towards a common goal? That’s the case with the unlikely duo of Washington Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard and New York Knicks GM Scott Perry.
Sheppard and Perry have a unique working relationship that spans over two decades. The two first met in the late 1990s when they worked together for the Detroit Pistons. Sheppard was a scouting director, while Perry was an assistant coach. They crossed paths again in the early 2000s when Sheppard was a part of the front office for the Washington Wizards, and Perry was an assistant coach for the Seattle Supersonics. It wasn’t until 2018, however, that the two found themselves working together again, this time with the Washington Wizards.
When Sheppard took over as GM for the Wizards in 2019, he quickly realized that the team had some significant roster issues. The team had been built around John Wall and Bradley Beal, but Wall’s injury history had become a concern. Additionally, the team lacked depth and defensive talent. Sheppard knew he needed to make some significant moves to address these issues, and he turned to his old colleague, Scott Perry.
Perry was working as the GM for the Knicks at the time, but he was a well-respected executive with a long track record of success in the league. Sheppard knew that Perry’s expertise in evaluating talent and managing salary cap issues would be invaluable to the Wizards. He also knew that Perry shared his vision for the team and that the two could work well together.
Their first major move together was trading for former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. The move was risky, given Westbrook’s large contract and injury history. But Perry and Sheppard believed that Westbrook’s talent and leadership qualities would be worth the risk. The trade paid off, as Westbrook had a strong season for the Wizards, helping lead them to the playoffs.
Since then, Sheppard and Perry have continued to work closely together, making smart moves to improve the Wizards’ roster. They’ve brought in defensive talent like Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison and signed veteran point guard Spencer Dinwiddie in free agency. The team’s success this season can be attributed in large part to the work of Sheppard and Perry.
The Wizards’ resurgence this season is a testament to the power of collaboration and the value of relationships in the NBA. While many front office executives are focused solely on their own team’s success, Sheppard and Perry have shown that working together can lead to great things. Their unlikely partnership has not only helped the Wizards become a more competitive team but has also served as an example of what can happen when GMs put aside their egos and work towards a common goal.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Wizards and Knicks and whether Sheppard and Perry will continue to work together. However, their partnership has already had a significant impact on the league and serves as a reminder that, in the NBA, anything is possible.
