HoopsHype.com Rumors

A key architect of a Western Conference finals team is a front-runner for a job in the Nuggets' front office. Two NBA sources said the team has interviewed David Griffin, the dynamic-thinking former Phoenix executive, along with three other candidates — the Kings' Jason Levien, the Hawks' David Pendergraft and the Raptors' Masai Ujiri, who previously worked for Denver as an international scout. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Jason Levien, David Griffin, Masai Ujiri, David Pendergraft 

The Hornets also have expressed interest in former Trail Blazers execs Kevin Pritchard and Tom Penn and former Kings assistant GM Jason Levien. Also, Bucks assistant GM Jeff Weltman is expected to be on the Hornets' radar. Weber flew back to New Orleans Sunday, and the Hornets are hoping to have a GM in place by midweek or the end of the week, sources say. CBSSports.com

Wizards assistant GM Tommy Sheppard and Kings assistant GM Jason Levien will interview for the Hornets' GM opening, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to CBSSports.com CBSSports.com

As reported by ESPN.com, it appears they'll move forward without Jason Levien. Maloof confirmed that the team's senior vice president/assistant general manager will be leaving to pursue other opportunities in the league. Levien, a former agent who represented former Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin, was hired in December of 2008 as the team's general counsel and assistant general manager. He was believed to be a possible successor to Petrie, who signed a three-year extension last December and simultaneously promoted Wayne Cooper to vice president of basketball operations and his son, Mike Petrie, to assistant vice president of basketball operations. "Yeah he is (leaving)," Maloof said. "I think you just need to talk to Geoff." FanHouse.com

Sacramento Kings, Jason Levien 

Sacramento Kings assistant general manager Jason Levien has decided to leave the organization, according to NBA front-office sources. ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Jason Levien 

Sources said Thursday that Levien plans to continue working in the NBA but wanted to pursue other opportunities after two seasons with the Kings. ESPN.com reported last month that Levien was one of several names under consideration for the GM opening in Phoenix created by Steve Kerr’s departure. San Antonio assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey is the reported front-runner for the position, but Suns owner Robert Sarver has said he is considering up to 10 candidates, with former New Jersey Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe Milwaukee executive Jeff Weltman also mentioned as likely targets. ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Jason Levien 

As the NBA Draft approaches, the extended absences of senior vice-president/general counsel Jason Levien is prompting questions about his role within the Kings organization. A former attorney and player agent - Hedo Turkoglu, Kevin Martin and Omri Casspi are ex-clients - Levien was hired in Nov., 2005, to assist Geoff Petrie with contract negotiations, salary cap matters and other basketball-related issues. The past several weeks, however, Levien has missed most of the player workouts and rarely been seen on the premises. When I asked Petrie about the situation after the Samuel Dalembert press conference earlier today, the basketball president was even more tight-lipped than usual. "I don't know what to tell you," he said. "He's (Levien) currently employed. That's all I can say." When pressed about his one-time close associate's extended absences, Petrie added, "He's been working outside the building on other assignments." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Jason Levien, Geoff Petrie 

Though the relationship between Petrie and Levien has become increasingly strained - for whatever reasons - Levien was given additional duties on the business side three months ago when Matina Kolokotronis replaced business president John Thomas. A New York native whose wife is a high-ranking executive with Forbes magazine, Levien remains close with Kolokotronis and co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. The brothers in the past have touted Levien as Petrie's eventual successor. In a brief conversation, Kolokotronis acknowledged that Levien has been much more closely involved with business issues, including the team's involvement in construction of a downtown arena. One source indicated that the organization's higher-ups plan to meet within the next few days to resolve matters. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Jason Levien, Geoff Petrie 

Sources said Sarver also hopes to talk to Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge, former New Jersey Nets assistant GM Kiki Vandeweghe and former Portland Trail Blazers assistant GM Tom Penn. Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Sarver also has interest in Sacramento Kings assistant general manager Jason Levien. ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Danny Ainge, Kiki Vandeweghe, Tom Penn, Jason Levien