The inside track on the Wizards search for a new GM...

As we all know, the Washington Wizards recently fired Tommy Sheppard from the role of General Manager, leaving the position vacant.

The Wizards need to move fast in filling the GM role for 3 reasons:

1. The upcoming NBA Draft

2. Kyle Kuzma

3. Kristaps Porzingis

The Wizards are now looking to fill the position with the most competent and experienced candidate they can find on the market. There are several names being considered for the role, but three prospects seem to have the necessary experience and credentials.

Trajan Langdon 

Trajan Langdon, currently serving as the assistant General Manager for the New Orleans Pelicans, has a solid track record of success in the NBA. He is known for his abilities in scouting and player development, which would be valuable in a team that is looking to rebuild. Langdon has also worked for the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs, and his extensive experience in the league would make him a prime candidate for the Wizards.

Tim Connelly

Tim Connelly, President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has had a successful career in the NBA, including helping to build the Denver Nuggets into a contender. He is known for his ability to identify talent and his great communication skills. However, when the Wizards previously offered him the job in 2019, he reportedly declined it due to the Wizards not meeting his asking price of $5 million.

He later accepted a role with the Timberwolves with a significantly higher salary of $8 million. In his first year with the Timberwolves, Connelly made a trade for Rudy Gobert that involved sending four first-round picks to the Utah Jazz. The trade was viewed unfavorably and is now seen as a disaster. The Timberwolves are on the verge of getting swept by the Nuggets, which is not a good look for Connelly. Despite his successes, this trade may hurt Connelly's appeal to the Wizards as a potential candidate for the General Manager position.

Mike Gansey

Mike Gansey, currently the Assistant General Manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is also reportedly on the Wizards' radar. Gansey is a young executive who has made a name for himself in the NBA for his ability to evaluate talent. He played professionally overseas before transitioning to the front office, which has given him a unique perspective on the game. He has worked for the Cavaliers for over a decade, serving in several roles in the organization, which has given him valuable experience.

According to Hoops Wire, "sources familiar with the process" say Gansey is among those on the Wizards’ radar in their search for a new head of basketball operations.

According to The Washington Post, there are a number of other potential candidates to fill the role, including Scott Perry, the current General Manager of the New York Knicks, and Milt Newton, an Assistant General Manager for the Milwaukee Bucks who previously worked for the Wizards from 2003 to 2013.

Who else?

Other candidates who were reportedly interviewed for the position in 2019 include Gersson Rosas, Danny Ferry, and Troy Weaver, with Weaver since taking the top job with the Detroit Pistons, Rosas working as an advisor to the Knicks, and Ferry being mentioned as a consultant to the Spurs in 2020. Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors may also be a candidate worth considering, as he was previously linked to the Wizards in 2019, though the team denied having any interest in him at the time.

The team is looking for someone who can help guide the team to success, and each of these candidates has the necessary experience, credentials, and expertise to do so. With the NBA offseason quickly approaching, it is essential for the Wizards to make a decision quickly to prepare for the upcoming draft and offseason.