Blazers Want Danny Ferry as GM

Portland is on the hunt for a new general manager, and Danny Ferry has emerged as a candidate. Reports the Oregonian: “Ferry, who resigned this month after a successful five year run in Cleveland, fits the criteria set out by Miller in that he has experience executing trades and signing free agents while working for a successful franchise. It is believed that Ferry was first contacted by the search firm hired by owner Paul Allen’s company, Vulcan Inc. Ferry still has intentions of remaining in the NBA, although there is question whether he will be a good fit in Portland. When he left his position as assistant general manager of San Antonio in 2005, he signed with Cleveland with the agreement that he would have full, and final say on all basketball related decisions. However, at the end of his tenure, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert started weighing in, and making, more decisions, such as firing coach Mike Brown and pushing for the hire of Tom Izzo as his replacement. Ferry resigned two weeks after Brown was fired. In Portland, Allen has at times insisted on certain moves, one of the most recent being last fall when he vetoed the basketball operations staff and made rookie Patty Mills the 15th and final roster spot instead of veteran Ime Udoka. Also, it is believed Bert Kolde, Allen’s longtime advisor, is wanting more input and control with the Blazers organization. Ferry, who played 13 years in the NBA, was paid about $2 million per season as the Cavaliers’ GM – more than twice what Kevin Pritchard was paid before he was fired on Thursday. However, it is believed that money is not an issue for Ferry, who made more than $40 million during his playing days in Cleveland and San Antonio.”