The Wizards search for a new General Manager had been unusually quiet in the past few weeks. The topic is now picking up some momentum with the NBA Draft Lottery now in the recent past.
ESPN sources have shared with Adrian Wojnarowski that there are now two known candidates interviewing for the Washington Wizards’ head of basketball operations job. Los Angeles Clippers General Manager Michael Winger has interviewed for the job. New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon has also interviewed for the Wizards’ head of basketball operations role.
Langdon, recently completing his fourth season as the Pelicans’ GM, is the first known person to have interviewed for the position. Prior to the Pelicans, Langdon spent three years as the Brooklyn Nets assistant GM and GM of the Net’s G League affiliate. The former Duke Blue Devil also spent one year in the Cleveland Cavaliers front office (2015-2016) as their director of player administration and basketball operations.
Before joining the Clippers as General Manager in 2017, Winger spent seven years in the Oklahoma City Thunder front office. He has been sought after a number of times yet has remained with the Clippers. Winger has also worked in the Cleveland Cavaliers front office under Danny Ferry from 2005 – 2010.
It has been reported that both Winger and Langdon have been in substantial in person meetings with Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chairman & CEO Ted Leonsis.
The Washington Post also reported that the Wizards held preliminary conversations with Milwaukee Bucks assistant GM Milt Newton.
Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers is also noted to potentially be on his way out from the Bay Area. This may be another name of interest to Leonsis and his advisory team as they continue their search for the next GM.
Also, of note, ESPN has reported that the Milwaukee Bucks interviewed Wizards assistant Joseph Blair for the team’s coaching job. Blair has been an NBA assistant with the Wizards, Timberwolves, and 76ers.