March 2010 Basketball Wiretap

Oklahoma City Restructures Front Office

Aug 31, 2010 11:56 AM

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today a restructuring of the Thunder Basketball Operations department.

The Thunder promoted Troy Weaver to VP/Assistant General Manager, Rob Hennigan to Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel, Paul Rivers to Director of Minor League Operations and Basketball Technology and Brandon Barnett to Director of Minor League Scouting and Manager of Minor League Operations. The team added Michael Winger as Assistant General Manager/Legal and Administration and David Vanterpool as Pro Scout.

"We are pleased to continue to promote from within our organization while also bringing in new people who will enhance and compliment our current staff," said Presti. "The promotions for Troy, Rob, Paul and Brandon are well deserved. They are selfless workers who are extremely committed to our organization." Presti added, "We are fortunate to have the opportunity to also add people such as Michael and David to our team; both will enhance our organization and help us grow in a positive direction."

Press Release

Tags: Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Denver Officially Hires Ujiri As New GM

Aug 27, 2010 3:54 PM

The Nuggets have hired former scout Masai Ujiri as their new executive vice president of basketball operations.

Ujiri, who was Toronto's assistant general manager since 2008, returns to Denver, where he served as a scout from 2003 to 2007.

The Nuggets had been without a front-office leader since the contracts of Mark Warkentien and Rex Chapman expired earlier this month.

ESPN

Tags: Denver Nuggets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Toronto Adds Roth To Coaching Staff

Aug 16, 2010 4:55 PM

The Raptors announced Monday that they have added Scott Roth as an assistant coach under head man Jay Triano.

"Scott and I have a long history dating back to playing professionally at the same time in Turkey," said Triano. "He is a coach who brings to us experience from many different levels of basketball ? International, D-League and the NBA."

Roth comes to Toronto following one season as an assistant coach with the Warriors.

NBA.com

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Clippers Add Three To Del Negro's Staff

Aug 13, 2010 7:39 AM

The Clippers have added three assistant coaches to Vinny Del Negro's staff.

Dean Demopoulos, Marc Iavaroni and Robert Pack will coach under Del Negro in his first season in Los Angeles.

In addition, Dave Severns was hired as director of player development on Thursday.

ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Blazers Name Branch, Rosenberry Assistant GMs

Aug 12, 2010 1:19 PM

The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Bill Branch and Steve Rosenberry to become the team's assistant general managers, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

Branch's responsibilities will center on NBA talent along with Director of NBA Scouting Michael Born, while Rosenberry and Director of College Scouting Chad Buchanan will focus on the college ranks.

"I've had the opportunity to work closely with both Bill and Steve and have always been impressed by their tremendous basketball acumen, work ethic and character," said Cho. "I am thrilled to have them join me, Chad and Mike as part of our front office staff."

Press Release

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Lance Blanks Named Phoenix GM

Aug 5, 2010 8:19 PM

The Phoenix Suns have named former player and veteran NBA executive Lance Blanks the club?s general manager, the team announced today.

"After a thorough search, we believe we have found the perfect choice to serve as our general manager," said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. "Lance Blanks is a first-rate talent evaluator, basketball executive and person.  We are thrilled that he will be joining the Phoenix Suns."

An experienced and successful talent evaluator, Blanks combines the high basketball IQ of a former player with a 10-year track record in the front offices of two of the league?s most successful franchises over the last decade.  The 43-year-old Blanks joins the Suns after spending the last five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers as vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager, a tenure during which the Cavs owned an overall record of 272-138 (.663).

Prior to joining the Cavaliers in 2005, Blanks spent the previous five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, originally joining the club in 2000 as a scout.  Blanks was then promoted to the role of director of scouting in September 2002.

Press Release

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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O'Connor Signs Extension, Sloan Confirms 10-11 Return

Aug 5, 2010 7:30 PM

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed executive vice president of basketball operations/general manager Kevin O?Connor to a multi-year contract extension.  

In addition, the Jazz also announced that head coach Jerry Sloan has confirmed that he will return for the 2010-11 season, his 23rd consecutive campaign leading the team.  Sloan previously signed a contract extension on December 2, 2009 and an announcement was made at that time.  
Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released.

"It is a blessing for me to have someone as knowledgeable and experienced as Kevin O'Connor help guide decisions relative to the Jazz roster," said Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.  "Kevin is one of the main reasons that our team has been as competitive as it has been for as long as it has."

Pres Release

Tags: Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Cavaliers Promote Wilcox, Redden

Aug 5, 2010 10:07 AM

The Cavaliers have promoted Wes Wilcox to director of pro player personnel and Trent Redden to basketball operations manager/scout, Cavs general manager Chris Grant announced today.

Wilcox joined the Cavaliers prior to the 2003-04 season and for the past three seasons has served as the team's pro/college scout.

Redden began his NBA career with the Cavs as the basketball operations intern in July of 2006.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Hornets Hire Madkins As VP Of Player Personnel

Aug 4, 2010 5:13 PM

The Hornets have hired Gerald Madkins as the team's new Vice President of Player Personnel, according to a league source.

Madkins comes to the Hornets from the Rockets, where he worked for the past two seasons as the team's Director of Scouting.

Before working for Houston, Madkins served as a scout for the New York from 2003-2007. He moved from New York to Seattle as a scout in 2007-2008.

NewOrleans.com

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Hornets Name Madkins VP Of Player Personnel

Aug 4, 2010 11:30 AM

The New Orleans Hornets have hired Gerald Madkins as the team's new Vice President of Player Personnel.

Madkins comes to the Hornets from division rival Houston, where he worked for the past two seasons as the team's Director of Scouting.

Before working for the Rockets, Madkins served as a scout for the New York Knicks from 2003-2007. He moved from New York to Seattle as a scout for the Seattle Supersonics in 2007-2008.

NewOrleans.com

Tags: New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Misc Official Transaction

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Nuggets Announce Chapman, Warkentien Won't Return

NBA.com

Jackson Signs New Deal With Lakers

ESPN