The Milwaukee Bucks have been granted permission to interview several front office candidates as they look to fill their general manager vacancy.

John Hammond departed the Bucks last week to join the Orlando Magic with Justin Zanik acting as interim GM.

Milwaukee made calls on Tuesday to inquire about Indiana vice president of basketball operations Peter Dinwiddie, Denver assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas, Memphis Grizzlies VP of player personnel Ed Stefanski and Atlanta Hawks special adviser to ownership Wes Wilcox.

Stefanski and Wilcox both were general managers in the NBA. Stefanski was GM of the Philadelphia 76ers (2007-11) and Wilcox was with the Hawks (2015-17).

Dinwiddie and Karnisovas have emerged as two of the NBA’s most respected young front-office executives.

The Atlanta Hawks offered four first round picks to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Paul George at the trade deadline.

The Pacers also received trade interest in George from the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.

In addition to their own picks, the Hawks own future first rounders from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019.

The Hawks' front office has since undergone significant changes, with Mike Budenholzer stepping down as president of basketball operations. Atlanta is still searching for their ultimate decision maker.

With George only one year from free agency and believed to prefer to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, it is unlikely the Pacers will receive a package of that quality again if they revisit trade talks.

The Los Angeles Lakers believe they will be in position to sign Paul George during the summer of 2018.

The Lakers have been advised not to give up assets to trade for George ahead of his free agency.

The Indiana Pacers considered trading away George at the deadline. George is believed to prefer to sign with the Lakers if the Pacers do not improve their status as contenders.

The future of Paul George with the Indiana Pacers remains uncertain but new chief decision-maker Kevin Pritchard seemed to suggest he wants to remain with the franchise.

"In every scenario he talked about being here," said Pritchard about his exit meeting conversations with George.

George can become a free agent in 2018. George reportedly has interest in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers if he doesn't stay with the Pacers.

If George makes one of the three All-NBA teams, he would become eligible for a supermax extension, which would improve the Pacers' odds of retaining him.

The Indiana Pacers announced Larry Bird is stepping down as President of Basketball Operations with current Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Kevin Pritchard assuming Bird’s position. Bird will remain with the team in an advisory role.

“I felt it was time to step away in a full-time capacity,” said Bird. “This has nothing to do with my health or our team. I’m 60 years old and I want to do other things away from basketball. I will do some scouting for the Pacers, NBA, college, international, do some appearances and stay in a capacity to advise senior basketball management. I love the Pacers, I grew up with the Pacers and admired them from a very young age. I want to thank the fans for their support throughout my career. I also want to thank (owner) Herb Simon for the many years of loyalty and for allowing me to stay with the team in a different role.”

“This is not a shock to me as Larry has always been up front about someday stepping down,” said Simon. “I thank him for all that he has done and am very pleased he is remaining with the Pacers in a different capacity.”

The 49-year-old Pritchard has been with the Pacers five years, first as Director of Player Personnel before becoming General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager. He previously had been General Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2007-10 where he helped turn around a team that in 2008-09 posted the sixth-best record in franchise history (54-28) and made the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

“I want to thank Herb, Larry and Donnie (Walsh) for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Pritchard. “As someone who grew up in Indiana (he was born in Bloomington), I’ve always felt the Pacers’ pride. The goal is always going to be the same as it has been through Donnie and Larry: to make this a world-class organization.”

“I have the utmost faith in Kevin taking over,” said Simon. “He has learned from a couple of great ones, Donnie and Larry, while with the Pacers. We all feel he will do a tremendous job.”

Added Bird, “I’m very happy Kevin is stepping in and glad another Hoosier is in line to take over this job. He has a lot of experience from the past five years as a GM and he’s ready to step into a leading role. With us, he has had his own ideas on the draft, players, and now he gets an opportunity to push his basketball abilities to the forefront. His role will be no different than mine was. He will make all final decisions on all basketball-related matters. There can only be one voice and it will be his.”