Wizards general manager candidates: Who is on Washington’s list to replace Tommy Sheppard?

The last time the Washington Wizards had a general manager vacancy, owner Ted Leonsis called it the “best important open job in all of sports right now.” 

That arguably wasn’t true then and four years later — with the job available again — it’s definitely not true now. 

Whoever takes over as the Wizards general manager will face the challenge of rebuilding a franchise that has missed the postseason in four of the last five years. Absent luck in next month’s lottery — the Wizards have a 6.7% chance of landing this year’s first overall pick — Washington doesn’t have a clear path to dramatically improving and its core of Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis managed to play just 35 games together last season. 

Beal is entering the second year of a five-year, $251 million deal (with a no-trade clause), while Kuzma and Porzingis will likely become free agents. 

After firing Tommy Sheppard last week, Leonsis said in a statement that Washington’s next general manager will come from outside the organization. That’s a significant departure for Leonsis, who promoted Sheppard in 2019 after letting Ernie Grunfeld go. Sheppard had joined Washington’s front office in 2003, when Grunfeld was hired.

Though Washington’s job may not be the most desirable, there have already been a number of notable names rumored to be in the mix — including someone who turned down the gig last time around. Here’s a closer look: 

Tim Connelly, Minnesota Wolves president of basketball operations: Connelly was offered the job in 2019, but opted to stay with the Denver Nuggets because the Wizards reportedly failed to meet his asking price of $5 million. Three years later, Connelly was lured away by the Timberwolves — who gave him an $8 million salary 

A Baltimore native, Connelly began his career with the Wizards and helped build the Nuggets into a contender by drafting two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, point guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr. He also worked with Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr., a former Denver assistant. 

But Connelly might not have the same sort of appeal this time around. In his first year in Minnesota, Connelly made a trade for Rudy Gobert in which the Wolves gave up a massive package that included sending four first-round picks to the Utah Jazz. That trade was viewed unfavorably for Minnesota at the time and looks like an absolute disaster in hindsight. The Wolves entered Sunday on the verge of getting swept by the Nuggets. 

Trajan Langdon, New Orleans Pelicans general manager: Langdon was mentioned almost immediately as a candidate for the Wizards as soon as Sheppard was let go. Though he holds the title of general manager in New Orleans, he’s not the team’s lead decision-maker — that responsibility falls to vice president of basketball operations David Griffin. Langdon has been part of a successful front office that has rebuilt the Pelicans in wake of Anthony Davis’ trade demand in 2019. 

New Orleans missed the playoffs this past season, but that was in large part because of injuries that limited star Zion Williamson to 29 games. The Pelicans have drafted well in recent years with selections such as Trey Murphy and Herb Jones. That’s an area that the Wizards desperately need to improve. 

Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors general manager: It might seem far-fetched that the Wizards could land the architect behind a franchise that has won four titles. But the Wizards were mentioned as a possible suitor for Myers — whose contract is set to expire with Golden State — as far back as January when The Athletic reported the Warriors could be in danger of losing the executive after the season. 

Complicating matters, the Warriors are still in the playoffs and if they go on another deep postseason run. Would that ruin Washington’s chances at landing him? Leonsis waited three months to hire Sheppard after firing Grunfeld, but Sheppard was named the team’s interim general manager. The Wizards haven’t named an interim general manager after Sheppard’s dismissal — and the draft lottery is May 16. 

The Athletic reported that the NBA sent a memo to teams that assistant general manager Brett Greenberg and vice president of player programs John Thompson III are Washington’s “points of contact” for clubs needing to reach out. 

Quick hits: The Washington Post reported that New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry and Milwaukee Bucks assistant general manager Milt Newton could be candidates to replace Sheppard. Newton worked in Washington’s front office from 2003 to 2013.  In 2019, the Wizards also reportedly interviewed Gersson Rosas, Danny Ferry and Troy Weaver for the job. Weaver has since taken the top job in Detroit, while Rosas is an advisor to the Knicks and Ferry was last mentioned as being a consultant to the Spurs in 2020. Toronto’s Masai Ujiri may be worth keeping an eye on since he was linked to the Wizards in 2019, though the team denied having an interest in him.