Southeast Notes: Wizards, Kemba, Heat

The Wizards are roughly eight weeks into their search for a new general manager, but the team made a key mistake by not having a Plan B along the way, Fred Katz of The Athletic writes.

Washington dismissed Ernie Grunfeld as general manager on April 2, quickly identifying Nuggets president Tim Connelly as their top target for the vacant position. The Wizards waited six weeks for the Denver to be eliminated from the playoffs so they could meet with Connelly, who then declined the opportunity after meeting with the franchise.

Team owner Ted Leonsis and consultant Mike Forde have led the way in the search so far, according to Katz. They also interviewed Thunder vice president of basketball operations Troy Weaver, former Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry and interim GM Tommy Sheppard, though each of these meetings surprisingly came several days before Connelly interviewed for the job.

Washington will bring in prospects for pre-draft workouts on June 4, with the NBA Draft slated to commence on June 20, as noted by Katz. The team also has free agency around the corner (which begins on June 30 at 6:00pm ET this year), making it imperative that they find a new general manager as soon as possible.

There’s more today from the Southeast Division:

  • The Magic, Pacers, Knicks and Lakers all have an early interest in free agent Kemba Walker, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders tweets. Naturally, you could expect to add more teams to this list as June 30 draws closer. Since Walker made an All-NBA team, the Hornets can offer him a five-year, $221MM super=max contract once free agency opens.
  • Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel ponders whether the Heat, who finished with a 39-43 record this season, should take an international route in the draft. Miami was awarded the No. 13 pick for next month’s annual event.
  • The Heat could use a star player to help attract other free agents to town, Winderman writes in a separate article. This recruiter could stem from a developing project such as Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow, or a future acquisition down the road.
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