David Stern would like to see Kiki Vandeweghe with an NBA team next season. If not, according to the Rocky Mountain News, the league gladly will take him.

"Absolutely," the NBA commissioner said Friday about wanting Vandeweghe to return to the NBA after he left last month as Denver Nuggets general manager. "I think he's liable to be back in the league soon. I hope so just because he's a knowledgeable basketball guy. He works well with youngsters. He understands the global aspect of the game. . . . We love him."

So much so the NBA wants to utilize Vandeweghe next season if he doesn't land with another team. Vandeweghe left the Nuggets after five seasons when his contract wasn't renewed.

"He's out there looking for an opportunity with a team, but if something doesn't come up, there are lot of opportunities for him on NBA TV," said Adam Silver, who takes over as NBA deputy commissioner July 1. "Either in the studio or possibly doing color or writing a blog for NBA.com. We're discussing a lot of different things."