Suns Name Lance Blanks GM

Phoenix replaced Steve Kerr with an exec from the Cleveland Cavaliers. No word yet on Dan Gilbert’s reaction. From the AZ Republic: “In Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby’s first pressing business, his search for a new general manager who was a ‘basketball guru’ and ‘cultural fit’ who is ‘associated with winning’ came up Blanks – Lance Blanks. Babby tabbed the Cleveland assistant GM to take on his first GM role with Phoenix. Blanks served five years as the No. 3 man in Cleveland’s basketball operations until moving up in June when GM Danny Ferry was let go. Blanks came to Cleveland in 2005 with Ferry from San Antonio’s front office, where Blanks was director of scouting for three years after starting as a scout in 2000. ‘Lance Blanks was the perfect choice,’ Babby said. ‘I found someone who is a complement to my skill set. He has an impeccable resume.’ Babby declined to reveal contract terms but said Blanks ‘will be here as long as I am.’ He got to know Blanks when Blanks was in San Antonio and Babby, a longtime player agent, was representing Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen and Malik Rose.”