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Marc Stein: Now, to this point, I’m told there has not been a search firm identified. That still could happen, but they’re going to have to decide what kind of GM they want to bring in. Do you want someone with a big name and a big reputation? Like, I think Bobby Karalla has been saying—Masai Ujiri would be high on his list. Masai is obviously available. Or are you looking for a different kind of GM? That’s the thing—we don’t really know yet what exactly they’re looking for in terms of the permanent successor. But you know, it’s not going to happen overnight. A search is going to be required, and an in-season search was not the anticipation. So Riccardi and Finley are your interim GMs. But again, I think Jason Kidd is going to have a significant level of input.
Shams Charania: Luka Dončić hasn't acknowledged Jason Kidd since he's been back—since they've played against each other in those Lakers-Mavs games. My understanding is—I think there's an understanding there—that Jason Kidd also wasn't one of the ones that was thrilled with Luka Dončić's conditioning and different things near his exit. And so now you have a situation where Jason Kidd is still the coach. We'll see who the new GM is, and eventually that new GM will make decisions on everything."
And all of the above doesn't even factor in the rise of NBA superstars — Damian Lillard (Weber State), Trae Young (Oklahoma) and Stephen Curry (Davidson) — taking on official roles with their respective alma mater’s recruiting programs. "The trend will only continue to accelerate," said Wes Wilcox, who left his post as assistant GM for the Sacramento Kings late last season to become GM of the Utah Runnin’ Utes. "The number of colleges looking toward the NBA to help in this space is only going to rise."
Desmond Bane on his trade: It was Father's Day. We were on family vacation. My GM texted me like, "You got a second?" And I was like, "Something’s about to happen." You never expect it to be yourself. But no bad blood at all—it’s a business. I'm fortunate to be in a good situation.
After Desmond Bane said yes, Kleiman surprisingly FaceTimed him to tell him he was traded to the Magic. “My GM texted me like, ‘You got a second?’ And I was like, something is about to happen,” Bane said. “And then I got a FaceTime call from him and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, something’s definitely come up.’ But no bad blood at all. It’s a business. And I’m fortunate to be in a good situation. … “At the end of the season, [Kleiman] told everybody there was a chance that the roster might look a little different. But you’d never expect it to be yourself. You know what I mean? It is what it is.”
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How did you meet the moment last season with both thriving in a bigger role and navigating external issues with team injuries and the dynamic between your former coach (Malone) and GM (Booth)? Braun: “I’m always grateful for the people who put me in those spots. I understand that Calvin Booth paved my way. He drafted me and paved my way to get that opportunity. So I’m grateful for him. Coach Malone threw me in the Finals as a rookie and played me a ton of minutes my whole career. So I’m grateful for those people for putting me in those spots. I’m grateful for what Nikola has done for me, what Jamal has done for me and what Aaron has done for me up until this point.
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Joe Cowley: Arturas Karnisovas will not address the media on draft night for the first time since taking that seat. GM Marc Eversley will instead speak. Interesting. AK probably doesn't want to deal with questions about the secret extensions going on. pic.x.com/mG7XX5heZa
Portland’s expansion WNBA franchise has hired CAA Search, the executive search branch of Creative Artists Agency, to identify and recruit candidates for the team’s GM position. RAJ Sports -- whose co-founders Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal own the Portland franchise, as well as the NWSL Portland Thorns -- initiated the directive in an announcement on Wednesday. The Bhathals made clear that the new GM will oversee basketball operations, personnel choices, coaching hires, salary cap management and long-term roster decisions. Joe Aiken, partner at CAA Search, has been tasked with canvassing the country for the right candidates.
Brad Townsend: My favorite Gregg Popovich story is personal. Hopefully he won't hold it against me for telling it. Days after the San Antonio newspaper I worked for folded in 1993, Golden State assistant Pop called to tell me the Spurs were being sold and he was coming back as GM. Me: "Pop, I really appreciate it, but I have no way to publish that." Pop: "I know. I'm hoping you can use that information to get a job."
