Source: Another top candidate drops out of Kings’ search for new general manager
Another top candidate in the Kings’ search for a new general manager has withdrawn his name from consideration.
Miami Heat assistant general manager Adam Simon has chosen not to pursue the Kings job, a league source told The Sacramento Bee. Simon withdrew from Sacramento’s search process two days after New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon backed out. The news was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Four names remain on the list of candidates the Kings have requested permission to interview as they seek to replace Vlade Divac, who resigned last month after five seasons. They are Minnesota Timberwolves executive vice president Sachin Gupta; Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth; Houston Rockets assistant GM Monte McNair; and former Atlanta Hawks GM Wes Wilcox. Interviews are expected to begin next week.
Simon, 46, has spent 25 years with the Heat, who defeated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. This is Simon’s first season as vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager under GM Andy Elisburg and team president Pat Riley.
Simon began his career with the Heat as an intern in the video room under current Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and has held numerous titles in player personnel and scouting. Simon played a key role in drafting Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and KZ Okpala, and acquiring undrafted players such as Derrick Jones Jr., Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn and Hassan Whiteside.
Langdon, 44, just completed his first season as general manager in New Orleans, where he works under team president David Griffin. Langdon previously served as assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets and was named the 2018-19 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year for his work with the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate. Prior to his work with the Nets, Langdon worked with Griffin in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 8:57 PM.
