Back in May of this year, not too long after the Trail Blazers had suffered yet another ousting in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the news arrived that Rich Choe, Portland's general manager who had served in the position less than one year, had in fact been fired. The report came as a shock to Blazer fans who was just then beginning to absorb the blow that their beloved Kevin Pritchard–the guy who had filled the GM position prior to Choe–was also fired a year ago.
Fast forward a few months, and though the Trail Blazers' management has yet to select a full-time GM, we now know who will not be filling this position next season.
Chad Buchanan, a seven-year veteran scout for the Blazers, has filled the role of interim general manager since the firing of Choe three months ago. Buchanan lead Portland through the 2011 NBA Draft, and made a splash by landing Denver point guard Raymond Felton in a draft day deal that sent Andre Miller to the Nuggets. It was a well-known fact that Buchanan was a candidate for the job of GM, and it was clear that he did in fact want the promotion.
However, news broke on Thursday, August 18th that Chad Buchanan had been eliminated from candidacy and will not be considered any longer in the race for the next general manager.
Though there are several guys in the running with quite a bit more experience under their NBA belts than that of Chad, it still may come as a slight disappointment for Blazers' fans that the young hometown guy that displayed guts and flare during the draft will not fill the role permanently.
“The reality is that Chad has a bright future in the NBA and I think he will be a GM at some point,” Blazers President Larry Miller said in an interview with the Oregonian newspaper. “We want Chad to have an active part in the search with us and be a part of helping us pick the right person for the job.”
Although Trail Blazers' fans are no closer to knowing who the next general manager will be in Portland after the announcement came Thursday, we at least can scratch one guy off our wish list and move on to the next, thanking Chad for the investment he has made with his team and looking forward to him resuming his role as a Blazers scout next year.
As for President Larry Miller and owner Paul Allan, there is still plenty of work to be done before a decision is made, and the Blazers can settle down once again with a whole and complete staff in place.
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