The Trail Blazers fired GM Kevin Pritchard on Thursday. ESPN.com reports that Portland "has Ferry high on its list of potential replacements for Pritchard." It was announced on June 4 that Ferry would not be returning to the Cavs.
The Cavaliers won at least one playoff series in all five years that Danny Ferry was their general manager. Danny Ferry was the Cavaliers' general manager for the last five years, but on June 4, it was announced that he would not return. His five-year contract with the team was expiring, and a new agreement would not be pursued. Now, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that the Portland Trail Blazers have strong interest in courting Ferry to be their next GM. The Blazers fired Kevin Pritchard from the position on Thursday.
Ferry, 43, also played for the Cavaliers from 1990-2000.
Stein writes:
With no hope of successfully prying San Antonio's R.C. Buford or Oklahoma City's Sam Presti away from their respective clubs, Portland has Ferry high on its list of potential replacements for Pritchard, mere weeks after Ferry parted ways with the Cavaliers, sources told ESPN.com.
Blazers president Larry Miller told The Oregonian of Portland the search will begin in earnest Monday and that former Heat general manager Randy Pfund also is one of the names under consideration. The Oregonian reported that the Blazers also have interest in David Griffin, a former top aide in Phoenix to Steve Kerr.
Whether Ferry would be interested in such a quick return to the job -- especially after the seemingly vengeful manner of Pritchard's firing -- remains to be seen.
Ferry declined comment when reached via phone by ESPN.com.
Stein comments that Blazers' job candidates might proceed with caution because of how Portland owner Paul Allen fired Pritchard just before Thursday's draft began.
Stein also writes:
Sources have maintained since it was announced June 4 that Ferry would not be receiving a new contract in Cleveland that Gilbert's desire to reclaim a more hands-on role in basketball decisions was a key factor in the split, along with Ferry's reluctance to fire coach Mike Brown.