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David Kahn, Former D-League Owner, Could Be Next Wolves GM

More photos » by Jim Mone - AP

This season was, to say the least, difficult for Kevin McHale and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now they're looking for a new General Manager. Would former D-League owner David Kahn be able to turn it around?

From ESPN's Marc Stein over the weekend:

The Wolves' only known external candidate to take over their basketball operations is Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey, although plugged-in sources say Wolves owner Glen Taylor has also spoken to former Indiana Pacers executive David Kahn.

Kahn's most recent basketball experience took place in the D-League, but he is a longtime favorite of NBA commissioner David Stern, which is presumably how he hooked up with Taylor. This is Taylor's first season as the chairman of the league's Board of Governors, who meet twice annually with Stern, but his sphere of contacts outside the Wolves' organization is said to be very limited.

Admittedly, I don't know enough about Kahn save for some "you can't print this" goodies (which I can't print), but I felt this was an interesting development, as he's been exclusively involved in the D-League for the past four years.

As far as basketball operations, it seems he's only been in charge of hiring coaches in the D-League.  To his credit, he has hired (mostly) good coaches for his D-League teams: Quin Snyder, Sam Vincent (first time around in the D-League), Joey Meyer, Michael Cooper, the late Dennis Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, Jay HumphriesJeff Ruland and John Coffino.

Star-divide

Kahn was the former GM of the Indiana Pacers before getting involved in the D-League.  By getting involved in the D-League, I mean bought four franchises in 2005 (Forth Worth, Austin, Tulsa and Albuquerque) and turned around and sold all of them for a pretty decent profit by the middle of the 2008-2009 season.

He's obviously a shrewd business man, as he sold the Tulsa 66ers to Oklahoma City for over $2 million dollars, according to this report by our old friend Matt Moore.  Fairly certain that he bought the team for at least half of that amount.  He also "sold" the Albuquerque Thunderbirds to Sam Bregman, though that situation is still in doubt.  'Sold' is in quotes because of this report from the Albuquerque Examiner:

Van Tate, Sports Director for Channel 2/KASA and 13/KRQE, reported that the Tbirds had released all their front office staff, but one. This Examiner later learned that all account executives, sponsorship and media personnel, along with the COO, were laid off. The only remaining front office position is the Business Operations Manager.

However, since this drastic front office change the Tbirds have already posted a job listing for a new Account Executive.

Along with those two recent moves, he also recently sold the Reno Bighorns (Fort Worth franchise relocated) to the Reno Aces, a local AAA baseball team.  This comes a couple of years after the San Antonio Spurs bought the Austin Toros, meaning all four of his D-League teams have been sold.

I end this with a nice little question from an interview he did with the Biz of Basketball.  For some reason, I worry about the Timberwolves if Kahn ends up being their final choice.

Bizball: During your time as GM of the Pacers, who was the best player you felt you acquired, either through trades, or the draft?
Kahn: I was most proud of draft-night deals I engineered for Jeff Foster and Jamaal Tinsley, two players who remain with the team today nnot because they were our best players but because of the pressure surrounding both deals.

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Word of the Day: Kahned

May 2009 from Canis Hoopus - 31 comments

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David must be getting bored...

…with Portland and democrat politics. He reminds me of Dave Checketts, ex-Jazz management, both guys that need to be back in the game.

Scott, you can’t bring up stories with at least HINTING as to what they are about…

by Rumble on Apr 27, 2025 11:30 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Haha

I know, I shouldn’t. The alternative would be to say bad things, but not be able to attribute them to anyone. Just felt it was easier to let you know that not everything is golden about this dude.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Ridiculous Scott on Apr 27, 2025 2:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kahn was Pacers GM from 1998-2002, I believe

which means he hired Isiah Thomas as coach. The Pacers’ draft picks from that era were:

1998 - Al Harrington
1999 - Vonteego Cummings
2000 - Primoz Brezec and Jaquay Walls
2001 - Jamison Brewer
2002 - Fred Jones

Also joining the Pacers in that timeframe: Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Ron Mercer (from that trade with the Bulls), Jermaine O’Neal, Bruno SUndov, Zan Tabak, Ty Edney.

Other than Harrington, those drafts are pretty rough (though I’m not sure specifically when in ‘98 and ’02 he was with the team, so Harrington and Jones might’ve been on other peoples’ watches). And how does he not say getting O’Neal ws his best move?

Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, where we think Trey Gilder could be the steal of the draft.

by Jon L on Apr 27, 2025 3:00 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I didn't know how far I wanted to get into that

The drafts are rough - Jaquay Walls? I’ve never heard of him. Jamison Brewer was highly touted by Marbury, I think. Vonteego has a sweet name. Al Harrington turned out alright. Fred Jones was a good dunker. Primoz Brezec was decent on my fantasy team one season off the waiver wire.

Also, I’d prefer Ty Edney to be referred to as Tyus. Sounds much more professional.

I have no idea how he thought Tinsley and Foster were his best acquirees. I’d put Artest and Miller above them as well.

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by Ridiculous Scott on Apr 27, 2025 3:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kahn was the GM

But Donnie Walsh was the president and made all the decisions at the end of the day. Kahn just ran the day-to-day operations.

by hkf on Apr 27, 2025 3:52 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do. Not. Want.

I’ve heard that he’s the establishment recommendation in the GM search. Here’s hoping that his Democratic leanings keep him far away from Glen Taylor, who was a GOP state congressman back in the 80s (and is still a big donor).

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
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by Stop-n-Pop on Apr 27, 2025 4:26 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hadn't heard that

But another interesting piece of information…

Blogging at RidiculousUpside

by Ridiculous Scott on Apr 27, 2025 4:43 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’ve heard that he’s the establishment recommendation in the GM search.

Stern loves him.

by Maury Brown on Apr 27, 2025 6:51 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs


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