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Knicks mailbag: Superstar possibilities endless under Leon Rose

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Knicks. How can Leon Rose do what Steve Mills and others before him couldn’t do? No elite players want …

You ask, we answer. The Post is fielding questions from readers about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and getting our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installment: the Knicks.

How can Leon Rose do what Steve Mills and others before him couldn’t do? No elite players want to come to New York. What can he do to change the perception surrounding the Knicks? — Tommy Smalls

Rose has elected not to talk to the media, which has been disappointing. But in his online letter to the fans when officially hired, Rose talked about the relationships with star players he formed as an agent. That’s what the Knicks brought him in to do: Land a star. Mills couldn’t, only trading one away in Kristaps Porzingis.

“In my career as an agent, I experienced the intricacies of the League, player recruitment and most importantly, how to develop relationships, unity and team cohesiveness,’’ Rose wrote. “To be successful in the NBA, you need the best talent, a tireless work ethic, a winning culture and a total commitment to the development of both the individual and the team. I know that the ability to forge solid, productive relationships is what binds all that together.”

But this offseason, his relationships may only net an aging Carmelo Anthony, a former client. Joel Embiid is another former client, and reports have said the 76ers finally may look to deal him this summer. Point guard Chris Paul should be a target, too — he is probably Rose’s favorite former client. Rose also repped Suns guard Devin Booker. Donovan Mitchell, reportedly reluctant to patch up differences with Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert over his behavior prior to being diagnosed with COVID-19, also is a Creative Artists Agency client.

Joel Embiid; Leon Rose; Donovan MitchellAP, Corey Sipkin, Getty

Can we take a look at bringing Kenny Atkinson in as the Knicks head coach? He has a track record of improving young players. — Jean

The Long Island product and former Knicks assistant under Mike D’Antoni guided the Nets back to the playoffs last season. However, his critics believe he transformed from one of the most underrated coaches in the NBA to among the most overrated with that 42-40 achievement. Atkinson was fired on March 7 with a 118-190 overall record.

NBA sources believe Atkinson easily will get another head job. But I wouldn’t recommend him for the Knicks — even if it would make a wonderful story.

According to one NBA coaching source, Atkinson’s game management in the final five minutes was not exemplary. Always known as a developer of young talent, Atkinson wasn’t keen on making enough X’s and O’s adjustments midstream. The same source said Kyrie Irving didn’t treat Atkinson with nearly enough respect.

The case could be made Atkinson is a better fit for a young, rebuilding Knicks roster than, say, Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy or Mark Jackson would be. But Rose probably will lean toward a more experienced winner — if John Calipari doesn’t want the job.

I agree with Knick frustration with [Julius] Randle’s ball monopoly. In The Bronx, we called it hogging the ball. Sorry to say, the Knicks are going nowhere with him. So let him go now and RJ Barrett will thrive, or at least we’ll find out what we have. Do you agree? — Billy Carr

Despite his relationship with Randle, a CAA client, Rose is certainly open to either dealing Randle or not executing his contract option for the 2021-22 season, though in that case, he still would count for $4 million on the salary cap. Leading into the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Knicks were willing to move Randle and had talks with Charlotte.

Randle’s traditional numbers were fine with the Knicks, but his drop in 3-point shooting percentage (34.4 to 27.7) was alarming. That players such as Barrett were frustrated with Randle’s over-dribbling, as I reported last week, adds to the worry. A New Orleans source said Randle was “a black hole’’ with the Pelicans in 2018-19. Randle has been on a losing team in all six of his seasons, including stints with the Lakers, Pelicans and Knicks.

Submit your Knicks questions here to be answered in an upcoming mailbag

The Knicks should check out Aaron Nesmith of Vanderbilt. He’s not a point guard, but he can shoot the hell out of it from 3-point range. — James Spencer

The Knicks desperately want to improve their perimeter shooting, and a scoring point guard and a deft-shooting 2 guard are draft priorities.

Nesmith, a 6-foot-6 sophomore swingman, is a terrific outside shooter, but his draft range might not fit the Knicks. If the Knicks pick in the No. 6-8 range, it might be a reach. And Nesmith probably won’t fall to No. 27. ESPN draft guru Fran Fraschilla believes Nesmith, whose lottery chances took a hit with a season-ending foot injury in January, will go between 10 and 20.

The Knicks have the assets to trade up from No. 27 if they feel really good about a player, though Nesmith, 20, is not known for defense and is an average NBA athlete. He averaged 23.2 points and shot 52.2 percent from 3-point range in 14 games last season.

“He’s a professional shooter right now,’’ Fraschilla says. “He has great range, quick release and high accuracy. He’s limited in some areas, but has a definite NBA skill.’’

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