Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said that the team has “reopened its search for a general manager.” In Portland, Jason Quick writes TNT NBA analyst and former Suns President of Basketball Operations & GM Steve Kerr “was pursued by the Blazers” after former GM Rich Cho was fired last May. But Kerr has said that “he wanted to spend time with his family.” Quick notes Kerr was “unavailable for comment” yesterday. And when asked about Kerr, Miller “paused, smiled, and then reiterated the franchise stance since Cho was fired: the team will not comment on candidates” (Portland OREGONIAN, 3/28).
PLEASE DON'T GO: In Memphis, Andrew Douglas noted Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Kevin Kane is also “head of a new advisory board designed to keep the Grizzlies in Memphis.” The advisory board “has three goals: increase season ticket sales by 3,000, advise the Grizzlies on involvement in certain local activities and, when owner Michael Heisley sells the team, be ready with an ownership group committed to Memphis.” Kane said, “Our goal is to have the franchise here for 40-50 years, however long there is an NBA.” The advisory board “met for four hours with team executives over the weekend.” Douglas noted the board will “meet about six more times this year to improve the Grizzlies support in the community and make them a better franchise financially” (WMCTV.com, 3/27).
NEWS TO US: In Sacramento, Jason Jones wrote NBA Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie “hasn't called his agent about a new contract with the Kings -- nor will he, since he doesn't have an agent.” And if Petrie “had an agent, it doesn't sound as if he'd be angling for a new contract.” Petrie said that there are “plenty of things to deal with now, and extending his contract beyond next season is not one of them.” The N.Y. Post reported Petrie “was close to signing a new contract, which came as news to Kings ownership and Petrie, who signed his current contract in 2009.” Team co-Owner Gavin Maloof said that ownership “remains pleased with Petrie.” Maloof: “He still has another year, and all I would say is we're happy with the direction of the team” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/24).
